Hi:

I think you should get in touch with where you are having the MRI at and ask them.

Good luck and {{{hugs}}}

I had 2 MRI's...one with contrast and the other without. I went to Emergency in an ambulance because I was having a thyroid storm. While I was there I complained about the pressure in my head and behind my eyes coupled with very bad headaches. Thats when they did the MRI without the contrast...my TED was not picked up. About 2 weeks later my Opth ordered one with the contrast...that showed the swelling of my eye muscles but my eye's had already bulged. I was not on meds yet and was still hyper but I didnt get worse. So...I guess this isnt all that helpful. What are you having an MRI for if you dont mind my asking? Big Hugs...Kathy

I think you have had surgery?
If so.. no your not in anger of a storm, but it could cause Graves' antibodies to increase. so it's a matter of weighing risk vs. benefit.

Most Graves' patients I have spoken with have gone on to ask the tech if this done without contrast. Discuss that with the doctor, .. they may say the image will not be as clear.... weigh benefit and risk again. Mot have been able to opt for without...

If you do choose with.. be sure your currently living the clean life, and your thyroid levels are good. I always feel my body can handle X amount of Graves' type stress just fine. It's too much stress that causes problems. So I stick with my healthy diet, clean living, saying no sometimes, getting enough sleep....you know the drill. Then I think when big stress comes along, I have room on my wagon to carry it and not get bogged down.
Can't prove that.. but so far so good. LOL

My Graves is currently "under control" so-to-speak. My levels have been good for several months and I feel great as far as all that goes. About two months ago though I developed random facial pains on the Left side. I was diagnosed with Trangeminal Neurolgia and after a few weeks of medication an MRI with and without contrast was ordered for that condition. Being an x-ray technologist and somewhat knowledgeable of MRI's and contrasts, I felt perfectly safe doing these exams. I had absolutely no reaction to the magnetism or the contrast used (except that my metal fillings did seem to "pull" a bit !LOL!) When they tell you that a with contrast image gives them a better view they are not lying, it most certainly does. For some studies that is very helpful. For others it is not helpful enough to warrant it's use.

All that being said, everyone is different and you really need to speak to an MRI Technologist and, if possible, a radiologist, for complete information and the most qualified and knowledgeable answers to your questions. Then speak to your endocrinologist about what results/reactions he has seen.

Best of luck to you..........Carrie

Thank you. The MRI with contrast is to confirm a tumor on my pituitary gland that the endo suspects due to very high levels of prolactin that my body is producing in which I am not pregnant or breastfeeding. I was told the contrast is necessary to look at the tissues. I just worry about the contrast and wanted to hear from others who had been thru an MRI with contrast already since when I had the Cat scan with contrast, that threw me into a thyroid storm. I just needed the validation. @Dairytech- thank you- I feel a little better knowing that when you had yours so soon after a thyroid storm that it didn't throw back into another storm... that is reassuring for me.

Hugs.