As with most medical conditions, the specific symptoms of Gadolinium Toxicity will vary from person to person. Other than what you will read here and in our research papers, there is no published listing of the common symptoms of Gadolinium Toxicity. By means of a symptom survey of 17 people with high urine levels of Gadolinium, we have provided a comprehensive review of this topic in Survey of the Chronic Effects of Retained Gadolinium from Contrast MRIs, which we encourage you to read. On this page, we will provide some high-level information from that paper as well as other observations we have gathered from MRI Gadolinium Support Group. Only collective information is presented. Other than in the Viewpoints section, we will never present individual specific information.
Establishing the Gadolinium Toxicity Connection
Symptoms are generally experienced at an acute level shortly after having a contrast MRI and at a chronic level for years following their last contrast MRI. Some people have the early acute symptoms that they can tie time-wise to their contrast MRI. Often they are very frightened, and any appeals to the medical professionals involved in the contrast ordering or administration process meet with denial or disbelief regarding the connection of their symptoms to the contrast agent, and certainly there is no supportive relief. Others experience chronic symptoms that their doctors cannot explain and through research or testing they make the connection back to their contrast MRI. They, too, are concerned, but more from a viewpoint of “where is all this leading”. Many people experience both the early acute problems and the chronic effects. People at both ends of the spectrum want to know what they can do to cure their Gadolinium-related problems. More about that in our Treatment Possibilities section.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms experienced fall outside normal descriptive terms for medical symptoms making it hard for patients to communicate to their doctors just what they are experiencing. For those symptoms, we will provide additional descriptive details as appropriate.
In rough order of frequency as reported in our Survey of the Chronic Effects of Retained Gadolinium from Contrast MRIs,
- Pain – aching; burning, tingling, and/or prickling pain (paresthesia); deep bone pain. Typically in extremities or joints, and sometimes in the location where the MRI occurred, like the head.
- Dermal changes – like tight skin, lesions, hyperpigmentation. Most often in extremities.
- Muscle issues – twitching – small, local, rapid contractions and weakness
- Ocular problems – worsening vision, dry eyes, bloodshot eyes
- Cognitive symptoms
- Ear, nose and throat – tinnitus, swallowing, and voice problems
- Low body temperature
- Hair loss
- Itchy skin
- Balance problems
- Swelling of extremities (edema)
There is one symptom experienced by many that transcends several of the symptoms listed above. It is a sense of an electrified, vibrating, twitching feeling typically just under the skin that is sometimes localized and at other times a more overall feeling. Sometimes it feels like something is crawling around under the skin. This is a particularly alarming feeling when first experienced as it is unlike anything that the person has ever experienced and it is very difficult to explain to doctors.
Progression of Symptoms
Our research showed that there is very little difference between early symptoms and ongoing, chronic symptoms. But the experience of dealing with these symptoms and the impact it has on patients’ lives are often different.
Early Experience
Most people with Gadolinium Toxicity from contrast MRIs have symptoms within the first month after their contrast administration. For many, their symptoms start within a few days, and for some, within hours of being injected with the contrast agent. Usually the symptoms are intense, but for some the symptoms are more subtle. The experience can be frightening because the feelings are new and different; often, nothing is visible on the outside of the body. One’s mental or emotional state can be affected.
Generally, the intensity of the symptoms will subside over time, but the reduction is not necessarily uniform, with ups and downs. The frightened feeling also dissipates with time, and the symptoms may feel less intense as the mind and body get used to dealing with them. Reading some of the Viewpoints from people who have gone through this might be helpful and joining the MRI Gadolinium Support Group can provide interactive support.
Longer Term Chronic Experience
With time, symptoms may go away or significantly subside, but patients reported on in our Survey of the Chronic Effects of Retained Gadolinium from Contrast MRIs, have been dealing with their chronic symptoms for up to 5 years with no end in sight. With little medical attention, there are no known treatments to “cure” Gadolinium Toxicity (read more in Treatments). Symptom relief and coping methods will most often bring the patient into a state of being able to tolerate or simply accept their symptoms.
As anyone dealing with chronic conditions, patients experience ups and downs, and often try a variety of approaches to lessen the impact of their symptoms. For those whose symptoms do not go away, the intensity of the symptoms may increase over time. This would seem to indicate that the Gadolinium Toxicity is continuing to negatively impact their body.
It is much harder to describe the chronic experience because each of our bodies is different and our ability to cope is different. Since nothing has been published about patients with normal kidney function who developed NSF, we do not know if anyone with normal kidney function has died from their exposure to Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents. We are also not aware of anyone who has “cured” their Gadolinium Toxicity, although some on the MRI Gadolinium Support Group have reported improvement of some symptoms after trying various treatments. Some have been diagnosed with Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy, thyroid abnormalities, adrenal fatigue, mast cell problems and other conditions. Often these diagnoses indicate some sort of atypical presentation of the associated symptoms. Since no related medical research has been published, we have no way of knowing whether there is a connection between the Gadolinium Toxicity and these conditions.
Our best advice is to hang in there and look for those actions that will help you deal with your symptoms and make sure your doctors know what you are experiencing. We would be happy to have you join the MRI Gadolinium Support Group to pass on your experience and learn from others.
Gadolinium Toxicity 
Could the unusual neurological sensation stated as electrical or vibrating be better described as “buzzing”? I am a nurse of 45 years and when I describe the sensations to my neurologist he seems dumbfounded. He says he has little knowledge of gadolinium toxicity. Hopefully he is researching it as thoroughly as I! The infrequent ‘buzzing’ is definitely not my primary complaint. The continuous flu-like joint and long bone pain along with frequent headaches are the most difficult for me. I am so very thankful for all the info and insight you all have provided! Just having a ‘lable’ Is comforting! And, yes, I do certainly intend to join a support group! Thank you all again and again!
Yes, many gadolinium sufferers describe it as buzzing. Bone pain is another frequent symptom.
How many have no symptoms. I had it three times in one day six months ago, and have suffered none of these symptoms.
No way to know how many with no symptoms. Some only develop symptoms after multiple contrasts. Some delayed with symptoms from cumulative effect of long term retention of the toxic gadolinium ion. Also individual symptoms may be subtle – like tingling or numbness or burning that the person may not report or attribute to old age. This is particularly the case because most all doctors will tell the patient that their symptoms cannot be cause the contrast is perfectly safe for patients with good kidneys. They are simply incorrect.
How do we find out if we have it besides having the systems.
Not sure what systems you are talking about, but you should read the Help -> Testing page if our website. It contains everything we know.
Was wondering. if a foot bath will help its supposed to remive toxins
We are not aware of any help in removing gadolinium from a footbath. It has not been mentioned in the Support Group of over 500 members.
Is an MRI the only way to be exposed to Gadolinium? I had a MRI 10 months ago on my shoulder, don’t remember any injections, could my now toxic situation be caused by anything else? Nutrition/Environment?
We are not aware of any way to become gadolinium toxic from nutrition.
How long should one wait between scans?
We are not medical professionals. Your doctors will determine when you should have an MRI.
We have noticed that some of the people with the strongest symptoms have had contrast MRIs close together. Sometimes that is 2or 3 over a couple weeks, or it could be over a couple months.
I believe this is the cause of my problems.. I couldn’t explain the electrical vibrating feeling before ether. .
May I have your list of scientific reference articles ? That way I can show them to our doctor ?
What do you recommend instead of gadolinium as a contrast material so the radiologist can tell if the brain tumor is growing or not ?
Thanks
Janet
Janet
There are hundreds and hundreds of related medical research papers. No simple list, but let me provide a few suggestions. At this link, you will find a large paper prepared by the FDA on the subject of Gadolinium Retention. On pages 43 through 51 you will find 129 references. https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/MedicalImagingDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/UCM572848.pdf .
I would note that references number 124 and 125 are for research papers that Sharon Williams and I have written and published on this website. One of those, entitled Gadolinium Retention from Contrast MRIs in 70 Cases with Normal Renal Function – 24-hour Urine Test Results also has a list of recent articles. You can find it here: https://gadoliniumtoxicity.com/contrast-mri-gadolinium-retention-70-cases-final/ .
Finally, if you read the Research and Background sections of the website, you will find explanations of the significance of research papers and links to them.
We are not medical professionals, so we do not make medical care recommendations.
Are you sure ALL MRI’s are done with a Gad contrast?
All MRIs are not done with contrast. The FDA has indicated that doctors should be more careful to only use contrast when needed because of the potential risk of gadolinium deposition in the brain, bones, and other organs.
I had an MRI several years ago and I had a reaction to the contrast dye that was used. How would I find out if GAD was used?
When an MRI is done with contrast, the contrast is always gadolinium based. Technically it is not a dye.
You should check with the organization where you got the MRI to get the medical records associated with the MRI. If you are in the USA, you are entitled to a copy of your medical records. You should note the brand of contrast used and the dosage.
I just heard about these effects. I have MS and have an MRI at least once per year. I also have MRA’s for a brain aneurysm. Recently I have also had MRI’s for different parts of my spine. Since MS already causes many of these symptoms, I don’t know which is causing what. What should I do?
Dee – We do not provide advice regarding personal medical situations on this site because it s not private. However, things we would suggest you might do include reading the Help section on the website, then you might want to get an unprovoked 24hr urine test for Gadolinium as described on the Testing page in the Help Section. If the result is high, you might consider joining the closed support group where people who are Gadolinium Toxic share their stories of symptoms and how they are trying to deal with them. We have a number of people in the support group who have been diagnosed with MS. You can find the support group here:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MRI-Gadolinium-Toxicity/info
I had a contrast/ with gadolinium dye MRI two years ago. As soon as the dye was injected, I felt a burning and inflating sensation in my chest. I then felt heat morphing into swelling, rising to my neck, throat, palate, tongue and lips. This reaction quickly was diagnosed as an anaphylactic reaction. Very rare they claimed, and 911 was called, as the imagining center had no epinephrine on hand. All ended well, but VERY SCARY, and no more contrast MRI’s for me!
Had genova provoked 6 hour urine screen showing 10 times the reference range. Last mri with contrast was in 2011. Had 2 brain mri’s with contrast prior to this. Recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, chronic. Lyme literate doctor routinely tests for metal toxicity. Even he was surprised about this gadolinium result. Symptoms of painful burning skin, deep bone pain, tingling and numbness, muscle spasms, burning eyes, sore mouth, and electrical type vibrations overlap with chronic neuro lyme.
I am requesting test to be repeated.
It seems that chelation is not effective treatment for this element.
Anyone with lyme and gadolinoum toxicity?
Anne
Sorry you had to find us. Your symptoms certainly match those of others quite closely. Chelation is effective in removing Gadolinium at rates exceeding normal excretion. Many of the people in our Yahoo Support Group have done IV EDTA chelation as well as oral chelation. So it can be chelated, but it has not been determined if that chelation improves symptoms. We suggest that you join the support group at https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MRI-Gadolinium-Toxicity/info to learn about the experiences of other people. It is a closed group and we only admit people who believe they are gadolinium toxic to be members.
Definitely something to think about. I’ve only had one MRI and although I’ve had some of the symptoms described, I’ve been told these could also be due to stress/anxiety. Especially that generated by the feeling of not knowing or thinking you have a chronic condition.
I had a full blown allergic reaction to contrast dye which required diffusion in ER I lost blood pressure and pulse and was administered epinephrine to save my life. I am experiencing deep pain, visual disturbances, balance issues (two extreme falls with no explanation and injury), as well as coldness even in warm atmosphere . This is the only explanation I have heard that makes sense. Is there no way to rid my body of this stuff? I have been told to never have it again and never to eat shellfish
You can read in the Help-> Treatments section the information we have on treating Gadoliniun Toxicity from contrast MRIs. However, comments about shellfish usually relate to the iodine based contrast material used in a CT scan with contrast, not a contrast MRI. The MRI contrast agent uses Gadolinium, not iodine. There is no known connection between shellfish and Gadoliniun.
I’m amazed. I had an MRI w/ gad.contrast for a spinal injury. I even questioned if gad is safe. Naturally they said yes.but, they had also told me Depo Medrol is safe to use in the spinal area. That too turned out to be a lie even being confirmed by the producer.
I’ve had the muscle twitches and the phantom vibration feelings ever since having this particular MRI. The doctors said it’s nothing to be concerned about. Balance issues come and go. I’ve also had issues with both short and long term memory and my ability to remain focused. I used to be quick thinking and a great multi-tasker
I don’t know if this is a help or not, A friend made me a magnetic bracelet and it seemed to help my balance issues.
Jim
The muscle twitches and vibration feelings are one of the most common symptoms. My doctor also said they were nothing to be concerned about. 5 years later they are worse than ever.
You might want to join the Support Group described elsewhere in this site. We support each other and collect information to create papers as described in the Our Research section.
When you say muscle twitches are you talking about like when someone just can’t stop shaking their leg when sitting in a chair? you know the way people do if they are feeling anxious or nervous or are you talking more like a very suddle almost not noticeable by a casual passerby like a slight twitch?
Most often, people experience very subtle muscle twitches, sometimes completely invisible, almost an electrical feeling of vibration. But of course everyone has a different body, and may have slightly different experiences.
The systemic effects sound very, very similar to the Co/Cr toxicity I am experiencing from my bi laterhal THR failures. So glad when I had the MARS MRI they did not inject anything.
This is also the contrast of choice for tests such as Intervenous Pyelogram or IVP which, ironically, tests kidney function. I have had two such tests in the past six months on either side of kidney surgery. So far I don’t seem to have any of the listed symptoms. Time will tell. Thank you for this information.
Interesting. Do they do an MRI of your kidneys after infusing the contrast agent?
So do they use gadolinium on CT scans? Or is that different to. Thanks
Gadolinium is not used as a contrast for CT scans. We only provide information for Contrast MRIs, not for contrast CT scans.
I just wanted to make you aware, if the test you had wasn’t an MRI, you did not receive gadolinium. It is a contrast agent, but it is a completely different substance that does NOT contain gadolinium. It works differently because xray is a whole different ballgame from MRI. It is a common confusion, and as a certified radiologic technologist, I am frequently explaining to patients that they are not the same. You wouldn’t test positive for gadolinium from an IVP contrast, because you wouldn’t have received gadolinium.
Thank you,I like to join the support group.Let me know how.
Just click the following link to go to the Yahoo Support Group page. Scroll down and you will see a link to Subscribe.
Where is the link to join the group?
The Support Group is described, including how to join, near the bottom of our Home page.
Definite an eyeopener,I have had polyneorophaty in my feet and legs and bad headache for five years after two
MRI’s with contrast, also skin lesions.
You might want to have a 24-hour Toxic Elements Urine test to see if that shows you as outside the Mayp Range. Also consider joining the support group described elsewhere. We would love to add your MRI history and symptoms to our database.
Does a normal creatin level mean you can’t have toxicity issues?
No. All of the over 600 people in the Gadolinium Toxicity Support Group have normal kidney function.
One month after MRI with Gadolinium contrast I still had high levels show up in a heavy metal test (done by Doctor’s Data). My doctor put me on a Byron White Herbal protocol to purge the metals prior to treatment for Lyme. The treatment lessened my symptoms and reduced my metal levels but it was a slow and gradual improvement over a 3 year period. It was definitely worth doing!
Since Gadolinium is a metal, did anyone experiment with bentonite clay, to remove Gandolinium from the body?
Bentonite is ingested and proved effective in removing mercury and other harmful metals from the body.
Where can I buy Bentonite clay? Can it be safely used by people who are on blood thinners?
We do not have any recommendations regarding bentonite clay, where to buy it, its efficacy, or its safety.
Eye Opener. in the extreme