As part of our Advocacy efforts to draw attention to the problem of Gadolinium retention and the effects of Gadolinium Toxicity, we have conducted our own research.
New Research in 2020
On August 25, 2020, an Open Letter about the Symptoms of Gadolinium Toxicity was sent to the FDA, and Radiologists and Researchers we have communicated with. The title is Symptoms of Gadolinium Toxicity: Can their cause be explained? and it cites many facts from the literature related to gadolinium retention from Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents (GBCAs) and its effects at a cellular level. Based on the literature, it appears that retained gadolinium can affect the function of cells, especially nerve cells, which could trigger a cascade of adverse events that can cause various symptoms.
New Research in 2018
On December 5, 2018, we released our fifth research paper on gadolinium retention from Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents (GBCAs) administered for contrast-enhanced MRIs. The paper is titled Gadolinium Clearance Times for 135 Contrast MRI Cases and includes the contrast agents for the unconfounded cases.
Drawing on the contrast MRI history and 24-hour gadolinium urine testing results that have been received from members of the MRI-Gadolinium-Toxicity Support Group, the study reports retrospectively on 135 cases with 218 urine test results, including 63 unconfounded cases with 81 test results. The participants all had normal kidney function and report having symptoms of gadolinium toxicity. The results reported are dramatic and involve all linear and macrocyclic GBCAs currently in use in the United States.
New Research in 2017
Our paper titled Gadolinium Retention from Contrast MRIs in 70 Cases with Normal Renal Function – 24-hour Urine Test Results, released in February 2017, presents what we believe to be the most comprehensive reporting of retained gadolinium as evidenced by gadolinium concentration in 24-hour urine collections. The 120 test results demonstrate that, contrary to what GBCA product labeling indicates should occur, the gadolinium in our study group did not clear the body within a few days. This finding conflicts with what most practitioners believe will happen. Comparison of results based on the number of contrast MRIs received indicates that cases with higher numbers of contrast administrations have higher levels of chronic toxicity than cases with smaller numbers of contrast administrations. (February 27, 2017)
Earlier Research
An Overview of Gadolinium Toxicity is a literature review of over 100 medical and scientific papers that contain information related to the toxicity of retained Gadolinium from Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents. It can be shared with medical professionals to help them understand that all patients are at risk of developing varying degrees of Gadolinium Toxicity as a result of contrast-enhanced MRIs and MRAs. (March 27, 2013)
The Group Self-Study of Gadolinium Retention from Contrast MRIs reports on the toxic levels of Gadolinium found in the urine of 13 participants. This is the first study of this information that has ever been released. All the participants had normal kidney function at the time of their contrast procedures. (October 1, 2013)
The Survey of the Chronic Effects of Retained Gadolinium from Contrast MRIs reports on the symptoms experienced by a group of patients with elevated levels of Gadolinium in their urine and updates the Gadolinium Retention information published in the second paper. The results show high levels of commonality in the participants’ chronic symptoms of Gadolinium Toxicity that are consistent with what is known about NFD/NSF patients’ symptoms and affected body systems. (April 2, 2014)
Gadolinium Toxicity 
Has anyone ever been misdiagnosed or thought to have been with Fibromyalgia when they actually later found that they have Gadolinium Toxicity? My symptoms are more like this than fibromyalgia but one of my docs (RA) thinks I have Fibro and my GP doesn’t believe in Fibro.
We believe that gadolinium toxicity may be the cause of fibromyalgia-like symptoms in some people. We certainly have a few people in the support group who have come to that conclusion for themselves. Unfortunately, since there is no official diagnosis of gadolinium toxicity, there is really no answer to your question. Since there is no treatment for gadolinium toxicity that has consistently provided symptom relief, deciding your were gadolinium toxic would not help you feel better, except for the piece of mind that you know why you feel the way you do.
You may want to get together your contrast MRI history and get a 24hr urine test for gadolinium as described in the Help-> Testing page. You could then compare your urine test result with the results for specific contrast agents that we published in our 2018 paper we published that you can find here: https://gadoliniumtoxicity.com/gadolinium-clearance-times-for-135-contrast-mri-cases-final-v1-1/
Where were you tested for the gadolinium?
Charles –
If you read the Help – Testing page, you will see the discussion of being tested at three different places Mayo Labs, Genova Diagnostics, and Doctors Data. The cases we report on could have been tested at any or all of these labs. Like others, I have been personally had testing done at all three labs. I have looked at many results where it was easy to compare the results at the different labs, and there is strong evidence that they produce equivalent results, within small normal testing variations.
How long does it take for gadolinium to be cleared from the body? It was used for an MRA, so injected into the joint.
No one really knows. Personally my last contrast was 7 years ago, and the tests for Gd in my urine are still nearly double the Mayo Range that should apply anytime after 96 hours. Even people who have reached a “Not Detectable” result with an unprovoked urine test will often have a provoked result of 10 times the Mayo range, so there is plenty still in their tissues. I wish we had a better answer.
Does gadolinium store itself in every single person that has had it. I am having all kinds of problems and don’t know what to attribute to what…
Who can I explain my symptoms to?
The storage of gadolinium in persons receiving a contrast MRI is the subject of new research since evidence was found in 2014 of this occurring in people with good kidney function. So it would appear that it’s not well understood at this time.
If you read the Risk Factors for gadolinium Toxicity on this website (https://gadoliniumtoxicity.com/background/risk-factors/) you will see that Dr. Abraham estimated that 1% of the gadolinium in the contrast agent is retained, most likely in the bones. But the quantitative details of this have not been determined.
Since doctors generally are not aware of issues related to Gadolinium Toxicity, the best place for you to understand if your symptoms might be related is the MRI Gadolinium Toxicity Support Group at https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MRI-Gadolinium-Toxicity/info .