I'm diabetic and been told I'm only moderate risk so not going to recieve a shielding letter
Posted , 5 users are following.
im diabetic type 2 and 52 years old . I'm offered flu jab every year. I've seen on every website (gov)that I'm included or considered high risk. however my gp says I'm not high but moderate risk. they say the government sites lists are only guidelines and not definitive. I've had the option to work from home if I get a shielding letter but the gp won't authorise. is there any clarity to the moderate risk high risk. can anyone suggest further steps I could take to get gp to reassess . I've never met or consulted with gp as recently been moved to this practice after my medical centre was closed. help me please
0 likes, 3 replies
moon53540 andrew97289
Posted
The clinically extremely vulnerable risk list is on the government website under "guidance on shielding." Diabetes doesn't seem to be on there for some reason although it is mentioned a lot as a risk factor by doctors and on tv. But I have also read that your risk factor goes down if it is well managed, so maybe that is why your doctor doesn't seem that concerned. I would recommend vitamin d spray to boost your immune system as well as a multivitamin and mineral tablet every day. All doctors are advising people to take vitamin d at the moment as we can't go outside like normal and because of the boost to the immune system. Also the obvious advice is avoid sugar completely, diabetes runs in my family and I am insulin resistant but I have to be so careful what I eat because I know I am at risk of getting diabetes if I put weight on (which is very easy for me!) or eat sugar. So I try and eat a low gi diet and check sugar content in everything I eat and try and keep it under 9 grams a day.
What do you do for a living? Could you not say to your boss, that even though you are not extremely vulnerable, you are moderately and you can work just as hard from home? It isn't as if this is a normal occurrence, so maybe they will be understanding. ACAS is a website that gives advice on work rights, have a look and see what it says, I think there maybe also a helpline.
jx41870 andrew97289
Posted
In the US I think diabetes is on the high list, but there's diabetes and there's diabetes. And of course, do you want to be labelled high-risk?
If you take insulin, even if it's working great, I think you should get your letter and your label, if you want it. Needing insulin often seems to be the dividing line.
Of course you can try another doctor, everyone deserves a second opinion.
Obesity may be even higher on the list, do you have any additional "co-morbidities"?
jan34534 andrew97289
Posted
if it were me I would see another doctor because diabetes does put you at higher risk. If you have any other health conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma etc. make sure you mention that.
find a GP that will write you a shielding letter . to me it’s not worth taking the risk.