People who have kidney problems should not receive a gadolinium-containing contrast agent during MRIs or MRAs. Gadolinium puts kidney patients at a high risk for developing the potentially life-threatening nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, also known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy. Healthy people do not have a risk of developing this disease because they are able to flush the gadolinium out of their systems. People with pre-existing kidney problems cannot do this as easily, leaving gadolinium in their bodies for an extended period of time. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis causes swelling and tightening of the skin and can affect joints, eyes and internal organs.

Those with advanced kidney failure can develop gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. People with diabetes can develop kidney disease when large amounts of protein are present in urine, blood pressure rises and kidney failure eventually occurs. If you have kidney disease, you should speak to a doctor before undergoing a gadolinium-based MRI. A gadolinium lawyer should be contacted if you have developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis as a result of a gadolinium-based injection.