March 29, 2012
Other
Question from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA:
Now 23, my son has had diabetes for 20 years and has done well. He is an avid weight lifter and has a slight shoulder injury, most likely from overuse. He saw an orthopedic “sports medicine” doctor who is unable to see anything on the first MRI and now wants an MRI with contrast. I am not in favor of this procedure and would like to know if it does pose a real threat to kidney health. He has done so well over his lifetime, I would hate for a careless decision to cause health issues for him now. The orthopedic specialist is aware of his type 1 diabetes as he said “your kind of diabetes effects everything.” I am not sure what that meant.
Answer:
The contrast material used for MRI is different from that used with CT scanning or other common angiographic procedures. The MRI contrast does not have the same kidney effects, in terms of toxicity. However, the old fashioned type of type of contrast does have kidney toxic effects in people with diabetes. I do not think this will pose a problem with his diabetes.
JTL
