While it is not yet known why Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) has become so much more common in the last eight years, some research has suggested a link between NSF and Gadolinium used in MRIs. One such study, conducted by Dr. T. Grobner from the Department of Nephrology, General Hospital of Wiener Neustadt, Austria noted that five out of nine patients diagnosed with NSF had received an MRI which involved the use of Gadolinium-based dyes as a contrast agent. These dyes were manufactured by GE.
Although the FDA has not yet recalled Gadodiamide for use in products, they have sent out warnings about the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in patients with kidney disease. They have also created a page about Gadolinium-Containing Contrast agents on which they state: “The FDA is evaluating important safety information about gadolinium-containing contrast agents and a disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF/NFD) that occurs in patients with moderate to severe kidney disease.”
We urge any patient who has received or who is about to receive an MRI to review the information, including PDF files and public health advisories, on the above FDA information page.
If you have any of the symptoms of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) we suggest you contact your physician immediately so you can be properly tested and diagnosed. This is a serious illness!
Patients who have developed NSF after receiving an MRI that involved the use of Gadodiamide or Gadolinium-containing contrast agents may obtain more information from this Gadolinium attorney’s page, this Wikipedia entry, and this page by the Food and Drug Administration about Gadolinium caused NSF investigations.
CT scans do not use gadolinium, only some MRI scans.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is a terrible condition most of all because nobody seems to believe anything is wrong with you! I have a friend with Fibromyalgia and she says she gets the same treatment when describing her symptoms. We need education and understanding so those of us with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) and people like my friend with fibromyalgia don’t have to feel like ‘fakers’ when they aren’t showing physical symptoms!
I feel sorry for anyone who is suffering from nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. NSF is one of the most terrible skin diseases I’ve seen. It looks so painful it just hurts to even see it. If doctors don’t inform patients with liver problems of the risk of gadolinium contrast agents they should be sued and have their license taken away for malpractice. There is no excuse.
My hepatologist insists the MRI with contrast dye is safe. I’m concerned because I’ve had hep c, need further consult on the dangers of the dye to the liver with any, even minimal damage. I know most of the studies state pre or post-liver transplant patients WITH kidney function impairment are at risk. What’s the bottom line for anyone with elevated LFTs and LSTs?
Martha,
I am not a doctor and can’t give you medical advice. But if I were you I would seek a second opinion. From reading the many comments and emails on the subject of MRIs and gadolinium-based contrast agents, it is my impression that these are generally considered safe for people with healthy livers, but dangerous for those with compromised renal function, such as yourself. Again, I am not a doctor and these are just my unqualified impressions based on what I’ve read and heard. You should get another medical opinion on this matter.
Best of luck,
E.
I re4cently visited youe website and discovered 92 responses from people who were poisoned by gadolinium exposure. Wher can I find those responses because I need to show them to my doctor so he will believe that I may have NSF and refer me for a biopsy. Any information on treatments or referals for help would be appreciated.
Hello Carol,
I think you may have been on a different website. I searched and could not find a gadolinium-related article on US Recall News that had 92 responses.
I hope you find what you are looking for and that your doctor listens to you, his patient, who knows more about what and how she feels than he does.
Regards,
Everett