BioMetals published an article raising safety concerns about gadolinium dye used in over 30% of MRI scans. Researchers in Israel analyzed studies detailing the known and proposed mechanisms of retained gadolinium toxicity. Gadolinium dye binds to chelating agents designed to flush the rare metal out of the body after an MRI. However, the researchers found leftover gadolinium dye in the brain, bone, and other organs. Plus, there isn’t a safe drug to remove it.
About Gadolinium
Gadolinium is a chemical element carrying the atomic number 64 and the atomic symbol Gd. Belonging to a group of elements in the periodic table called Lanthanides, the chemical is a rare earth element. Many devices use this element like microwave applications, color TV tubes, synthetic gemstones, compact discs, and computer memory. Also, medical professionals use gadolinium as an injectable contrast agent when patients undergo magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) scans. The medical community believes that when injected with this dye the body expels it naturally within a few hours. However, this is not always the case. The chemical agent can also stay in the body for months or years following a single imaging session.
Study Shows Gadolinium Dye Retention
Lead author on the study, Dr. Moshe Rogosnitzky said that their findings contradict the longstanding belief that patients with normal kidney function are not at risk for gadolinium dye retention. Dr. Rogosnitzky hopes this study will push the FDA to show more initiative in evaluating the risk of brain deposits. In July 2015, the FDA announced it was evaluating these risks, however, that was three years ago. The agency has been quiet ever since.
Co-author Dr. Stacy Branch also said it was vitally important that the FDA needs to step up its efforts. This should include retrospective and prospective clinical studies. He adds that:
“This is needed to guide the choice of preventive methods, achieve accurate diagnoses, implement effective treatment approaches, and spark research for the design of safer contrast agents and imaging protocols.”
Also, the researchers did not find a single suitable drug to quickly remove gadolinium from the body. One drug used by medical professionals could take up 156 years to remove the gadolinium dye. Therefore, they want to continue exploring existing chelator drugs used for other metal toxicities to see if they will help with removing gadolinium dye.
Free Case Evaluation
A gadolinium lawsuit may be an option for patients suffering from gadolinium retention and related complications. Gadolinium, used in dyes to increase the clarity of MRI and MRA scans, can create chemical element retention in the body, Therefore, this increases the risk of gadolinium deposition disease and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. These conditions are accompanied by symptoms that include severe physical pain and cognitive difficulties. Affected patients and their loved ones may be able to file a lawsuit and recover damages.
For more information, contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm. We offer free, confidential, no-obligation consultations. We have also over 20 years experience helping consumers injured by unsafe products manufactured by large companies.