If you are allergic to shellfish should you have the contrast that they inject you with for an MRI?
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atreadia
ANSWERS: 3
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Is it Iodine they inject you with? I remember hearing that a shellfish allergy is actually an iodine allergy...
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No you shouldn't.
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Yes. Absolutely. MRI contrast contains gadolinium. It has no iodine in it at all. Contrast for CT scans does have iodine in it. If you are allergic to shellfish, you can still have CT contrast. A shellfish allergy does not mean you will have a reaction to CT contrast. However, people who have multiple allergies are more likely to have a reaction to contrast. "Allergic" reactions to MRI or CT contrasts are very rare, and are not true allergic reactions. They can mimic allergic reactions, but they are not technically the same mechanism. There are other valid concerns regarding the contrast materials. CT contrast temporarily interferes with the clearance of certain diabetic medications from the body. CT contrast can also affect the kidneys, particularly in people who already have impared kidney function. MRI contrast has been associated with a particular skin disorder in patients who have kidney failure. http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/24/suppl_1/S3 http://www.emedicine.com/Radio/topic864.htm
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