[Talley]

#1059953

Just need to vent…Last week I had two CT scans with contrast. My PCP ordered them (the second because the radiologist saw something).

My endo had moved to a new office so I called to see if he was still taking my insurance as he instructed me to do. I then made an appointment for the end of May.

Anyway, I felt awful by the end of the week – dry cough, horse voice and swollen neck. I emailed the endo to tell him that I had two CT Scans with contrast and now I felt bad. His response was,

“you were told 100% not to do this with hyperthyroidism taking
methimazole when we started the medication, and it was on the
information sheet i gave you as well!
you need your labs checksed asap.
please have a copy of the ct reports faxed to the new office as well.

I suppose he did tell me this last year, I obviously didn’t remember – I was more concerned with the possibility of having cancer…I’m annoyed with him for the “attitude” and that my PCP (who knows I have Graves) ordered this.

I feel better today – wonder if it’s running its course? Has anyone else had IV contrast with a CT?

I think the doctor was covering his ass with the comments, but still it came across poorly and I’m a bit nervous about seeing him. Maybe he’ll fire me as a patient;)

ps – seeing the oncologist on Wednesday.

[vanillasky]

#1179020

Talley,I will tell you one thing that was told to me by my old endocrinologist.

He mentioned that the contrast solution for CT scans could contain a form of iodine that could make us hyper.

When he thought I had Hashimotos, he asked me repeatedly if I had had CT with contrast and told me to ask every tech that EVER did a test if the solution contained iodine NOT to do it. He suggested MRI because what they use when they inject you contains no iodine.

Maybe this could be what is making you feel lousy? Just a thought.

Karen

[Robboford]

#1179021

Hi all,
When my opthalmologist sent me for CT scans, the form he filled out noted contrast in one place and no contrast in another. Through my own research, I knew that the contrast contained Iodine and that I should not have it. The radiologist actually called in security to restrain me to get the canula inserted so that they could administer the contrast. I became very vocal and threatened legal action if I had an adverse reaction. My research had led me to discover that the contrast could have put me back into Thyrotoxic shock (This was the original starting point and having to spend 2 weeks in intensive care on my Graves’ journey). I pleaded with them to contact my Endo, Cardiologist, Surgeon, Opthalmologist or any Lab technician to confirm this. I don’t know how hard they tried, but it took them an hour to finally say OK we will do the scans without the contrast and you will have to have the scans repeated if I was incorrect. At all times, I tried to remain respectful and told them that although they are experts in radiology, it is my body, my health and ultimately my decision and that it was impossible for them to be up to date on every condition and/or reactions to contrast etc. I still think that they thought I was a smarty pants and that they were offended. At my next Endo appointment I questioned my Endo and he confirmed that the contrast could have affected me the following week, month or 3 months ahead or maybe not at all. When I asked how severe could the reaction have been, the Endo replied that it could have sent me back into Thyrotoxic shock (not somewhere, I ever, ever want to visit again). My motto has been and will continue to be “My body, my health, my decision” and hopefully I will make informed choices. Keep up the fight my fellow warriors and take care.
Cheers, hugs and kisses
Debbie
(AKA Robboford)

[vanillasky]

#1179022

@Debbie! You poor thing! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!!!!!!

I am so glad that one endo told me this because these stupid techs never ask about thyroid problems. And you have to be your own health advocate and inform them you have Graves’ or some type of thyroid condition even Hashimotos.

I was warned by him it could send me to Hyper Hell which I hate more than hyp0 hell any day!

It saddens and amazes me how stupid these techs and Radiologists are.

[Kimberly]

#1179023

Hello – I can totally see how remembering instructions for CT scans would *not* have been your biggest priority when you were initially diagnosed!

The endo’s message was certainly not very diplomatic, but given the concerns about iodine, it *is* important to get levels checked. Hopefully, if you explain how quickly things moved once the mass was identified, your endo will have a little sympathy for what you had to deal with and the quick decisions that had to be made.

Take care – and please keep us posted!

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