Chest MRI and Chronic Kidney Problems: Prepare Your Kidneys For The Exam

If you're scheduled for a chest MRI soon but suffer from chronic kidney problems due to diabetes, you may wonder if you need to make any special preparations before the test. If a doctor plans to inject dye into your veins before the scan, you need to have your kidneys examined beforehand. Your kidneys must be healthy enough to tolerate and eliminate the dye after the exam. Here's why you need healthy kidneys and what you can do to get them ready for the exam.

Why Do You Need Healthy Kidneys?

A chest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a unique diagnostic test used to examine the organs and blood vessels in your chest cavity for abnormal growths, infections, and other problems. In order to see each organ clearly, a technician or doctor injects a special contrast dye into one of your veins. The dye highlights your organs, including any problems they might have in them.

After the test, your kidneys filter and remove the dye from your blood. However, your kidneys can experience a slight decline in blood circulation from the dye. If your kidneys are compromised by infections, high blood sugar, or another health condition, they can experience some problems. For example, high blood sugar (diabetes) can weaken the blood vessels in your kidneys. Your kidneys may not filter or remove waste from your body properly.

Before you take your MRI exam, it's important to treat your kidney problems.

What Can You Do About Your Kidneys?

It's important to see a regular doctor about your kidneys right away. Your kidneys may be infected with bacteria, or they may have another problem, such as kidney stones or disease. It's important rule out the cause of your chronic kidney problems, before you undergo a MRI scan. Some kidney conditions can become worse with regular MRI tests.

If your kidneys are healthy enough after you see a doctor, an imaging technician may go ahead and complete your chest MRI. But if your kidneys continue to bother you, a technician may perform a chest MRI without a contrast dye. This type of test doesn't use any type of dyes, so it may be a better and safer option for you. If you have any concerns about your MRI scan, consult directly with an imaging technician.

For information about your kidneys or how they may affect your chest MRI, consult an imaging technician or doctor.

Contact companies like Hudson Valley Imaging for additional information regarding imaging.

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