Can Contrast used in a CT scan cause you efgr numbers to drop?

[Dakot]

Hi Everyone. I joined this forum to gain knowledge because I had an incident when I used a suppliment that caused my efgr to drop from 72 to 56 in between blood test that were 3 months apart. I have always been sensitive to chemicals and I was fairly sure it was this supplement I took at that time. That was 2 years ago and with diet change and drinking lots of water and being very diligent about what goes in my body I thankfully got my efgr back to 70 and all other renal levels were back to normal too. I had written here for advice when I was told I needed a CT scan with contrast 3 months ago. Everyone was so helpful. The bottom line my numbers were good at the time so all doctors felt there was no concern.

So on 5/30/23 I had to undergo an CT scan with contrast I was very concerned since I am so reactive to chemicals. Two of my doctors GP and Cardio assured me it was safe and my renal numbers looked good. Efgr 70 creatinine 89 at the time of the CT scan. I was not so sure about safe because chemicals had effected me once before. I had another blood test 11 weeks after the CT with contrast last week. Now my creatinine went up 10 pts and my efgr went down 9 .

I drank lots of water as I always do and ate healthy as I always do in those 11 weeks since the contrast was used I did all my healthy stuff . Needless to say it concerns me that this recent blood test after the contrast showed changes.

So my question.. has anyone every had this happen with this type of test and contrast? I know contrast can effect kidney function but I was assured it was safe and I am not sure how long it should or could take to regain better numbers and function.

Thank you so much

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

so much can make a difference in GFR. But, contrast can be really dangerous. Supposedly there is one that is less harmful for kidneys. I had them done at your stage and who knows what impact it had since no one at that time cared. But my doc ordered a CT scan last week and I am stage 5. So I had NO dye at all and it came out fine. Keep drinking water to help. At your stage, it is totally possible the kidneys will rebound. Just give it some time.

[seabreezegirl]

Yes it can , an xray tech told me that the contrast is sotra out of date the newswst machines do not even need it . But doctors are so used to ordering it they just continue to use it . Last time I had xray study done I said to the doctor " I will do the study, but I will not use contrast" . He said ok .

As an retired RN I am very strong in advocating for my own health. Do your own research using good sources. It is your body and your health after all.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to seabreezegirl]

Flat out untrue. I had a brain MRI without contract and yes, they found a tumor. However, they wanted to see exactly what was going on so they ordered one with contrast. I read both reports, and saw the scans on their computer. There was a very clear difference even to me. The second report was also more detailed as to size and whether or not it was contained. Never trust any medical information that is not straight from a doctor.

[Dakot]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I did question the use of contrast with my GP, my vascular surgeon who ordered the CT scan, the technician and I spoke to as many medical people as I could to find out the need to use contrast vs the safety. I was told over and over that the type they use now is extremely safe for the kidneys and other organs I was told to just drink alot of water after which I did.

It was very important to get a detailed scan. I could not dispute that but I could make sure that it was safe and everyone insisted it was.

Thank you everyone for your reply, I happen to be someone who is very reactive or sensitive to chemicals and they always effect my kidneys I have been very blessed in as much with work and the right diet I have managed to get fuction back. I have found that the numbers can drop so quickly but it takes months and months to get your kidneys to recoup.

I was insterested in seeing if anyone else has had this happen. Loss of some function due to the use of contrast or other diagnostic chemicals.

I thank you for your replies.

[Darlenia in reply to Dakot]

Your doctors are right - for very detailed scans, contrast is necessary, especially when dealing with vascular and cardiac matters. When my hubby was checked for heart blockages and stent placement, his radiologist also used contrast - a little less than usual at the behest of his cardiologist. His labs stayed the same. I think my hubby also had contrast during more other procedures following his transplant at the transplant center - for finding and stenting a ureter leak, and so on. My hubby is fine today.

[Dakot in reply to Darlenia]

Thank you for your reply I am glad your hubby is ok. I did understand the importance of detail. I was just aware for the last few years that I and my kidneys are sensitive to chemicals. When they looked at all my blood work it was good so they saw no reason, to be concerned. I did because I know me and how reactive/sensitive I am to chemicals..even soaps, lotions etc. But it had to be a detailed scan we were looking at heart and Aorta issues. Thank you again I am so happy to hear your hubby is doing ok.

[Darlenia in reply to Dakot]

I understand. Unfortunately, sometimes one has to pick which organ deserves saving the most. The heart generally wins.

In our experience, nephrologists make contrast decisions for kidney related scans. For heart, it's generally the cardiologists (but a patient can remind them of concerns). For ureter leaks and other weird things, it's the "interventional radiologists". No one says anything to them....those are very respected and hard to find. The entire transplant center bowed down to them and waited anxiously for their reports, lol.

[Dakot in reply to Darlenia]

Thank you, I think that is what they were thinking in order for a good detailed CT scan it was necessary and everyone was assuring me it was safe. I am sure it was but it was just the way my body (kidneys) react. Thank you for your reply

[crackers2 in reply to Dakot]

Hi Dakot On my lab test for stage 3 kidney disease, it said not to use contrast.

I haven't needed it yet, but I'm concerned. I too am very sensitive to chemicals and with food allergies and gluten. My GP doesn't think I don't need a nephew yet, I don't have a heart dr either. She down plays my stage 3.

I see her Sept 5. I may change Dr's.

Thank you for your input.

Good health to you. There is always hope.

[crackers2 in reply to crackers2]

Correction nephrologist not nephew.Autocorrect.

[Dakot in reply to crackers2]

Thank you for your reply and I wish you good health too. I have found some doctors are not all they can be. If you feel uncomfortable please always consider a 2nd opinion. We have to be our own advocates and do our research. I try it isn’t always easy to find correct answers but we must try anyway. Wishing you the best.

[Hidden in reply to Dakot]

It was my nephrologist who decided if I could get the contrast or not when I needed a scan.

[Dakot in reply to Hidden]

Thank you unfortunately I did not have a Nephrologist as it was not needed. I had a drop in EFGR a few years ago but my kidney fuction recovered. My GP thought it was ok. Looking at my blood work done the week of the scan with contrast one would think it was fine. I just knew about the sensitivity I had. I just wondered if I am in a unique group or something. Thank you for your reply.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to Dakot]

When it drops and comes back it’s AKI, acute kidney injury.

[Dakot]

thank you I am not sure what type it was but the technician administering the iv contrast assured me it was very safe. I have not doubt it is but perhaps for those of us that are sensitive to chemicals or those who have Ckd it is something to seriously consider. I did and was reassured multiple times of the safety.

[Hidden]

The image center I went to used a creatinine level of 2.0 or higher as the cutoff for contrast.

[renegade70]

They recently told me that I had to use it for a prostate mri. I asked if they could do it without contrast and they told me that the contrast that they use would not affect me in stage 3a. I have had 2 sets of kidney labs since the mri and it does not seem to have affected my egfr.

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

There’s a big diferent in risk of iodine contrast vs gadallinum risks.