Covid-19 Risk to T2 Diabetics

[Rosie Law]

Hello all

I am a key worker and I’m T2 on gliclazide and lingagliptin. I’m front line and deal with the public. I have been following the Govt guidance and trying my best to socially distance whilst at work. I have raised concerns with my line manager and explained that I am happy to come to work but a little concerned re contact with the public as I am unable to fully risk assess what a persons intentions or actions may be. My line manager has removed a T1 diabetic in my work place from contact with the public and redeployed them. He has informed me that T2 diabetics are not at the same level of risk. I have scoured the guidance and can see no difference other than for T1’s to keep up their testing. Any advice on this would be much appreciated.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hello @Rosie Law

I’ve not heard that distinction either, but it seems like the information and evidence is changing rapidly, and sometimes decisions are being made at a local level based on their observations.

The current summary of advice for people with diabetes from DUK is here: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus

And a letter about T1 risks was shared on the forum here:

Letter to all NHS Diabetes teams and Covid 19

This is from Partha Kar’s twitter account and first appeared two or three days ago. Personally I think I it’s worth

forum.diabetes.org.uk

But I don’t think the official advice on the .gov page has changed to differentiate types - perhaps because risk is partly governed by how each person is able to manage their diabetes, as well as which version they have?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

This from the JDRF page, specifically intended for people with T1:

People with type 1 diabetes, who have glucose values close to target, may not be at greater risk of developing COVID-19, unless their situation is complicated by other concerns. There is currently no good information to tell us how type 1 diabetes interacts with COVID-19 and other health aspects to affect risk.​

​

Not everyone living with type 1 diabetes is at higher risk of contracting coronavirus, or of having complications from it. However, some, especially those who are older or with other underlying conditions, may be more severely affected and everyone is encouraged to follow the government advice closely. This will minimise risk for everyone as well by avoiding transmission across the population.​

Breakthrough T1D UK | Type 1 Diabetes Research

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jdrf.org.uk

(Updated 8th April) - my emphasis