Common Symptoms

Some of the symptoms experienced fall outside normal descriptive terms for medical symptoms making it hard for patients to communicate to their doctors just what they are experiencing.

In rough order of frequency as reported in the 2025 patient survey by Williams and colleagues, published by GadoliniumToxicity.com:

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Pain – aching; burning, tingling, and/or prickling pain (paresthesia); deep bone pain. Typically in extremities or joints, and sometimes in the location where the MRI occurred, like the head.
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Dermal changes – like tight skin, lesions, hyperpigmentation. Most often in extremities.
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Muscle issues – twitching – small, local, rapid contractions and weakness
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Ocular problems – worsening vision, dry eyes, bloodshot eyes
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Cognitive symptoms
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Ear, nose and throat – tinnitus, swallowing, and voice problems
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Low body temperature
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Hair loss
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Itchy skin
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Balance problems
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Swelling of extremities (edema)

Special Note: There is one symptom experienced by many that transcends several of the symptoms listed above. It is a sense of an electrified, vibrating, twitching feeling typically just under the skin that is sometimes localized and at other times a more overall feeling. Sometimes it feels like something is crawling around under the skin. This is a particularly alarming feeling when first experienced as it is unlike anything that the person has ever experienced and it is very difficult to explain to doctors.

Symptoms by Body System

Symptoms reported within the first 3 months after the last MRI with a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) — the dye injected for some MRI scans. These percentages come from the tested group: the 185 participants with laboratory-confirmed gadolinium retention.

The full survey included 316 people; 185 had laboratory-confirmed retention and 131 were never tested.

What these numbers are, and what they are not

These numbers come from people describing their own symptoms in an online questionnaire — not from medical exams or lab tests. They show how common a symptom was among survey participants who already believed they were affected, not how likely you are to get it after an MRI. Many of these symptoms have other, more common causes. Use this to describe your experience to a doctor, not to diagnose yourself.

Nervous System

Tingling / Prickling sensations79%

Brain Fog / Cognitive Issues72%

Burning pain69%

Muscle Twitching / Fasciculations69%

Muscle Spasms/ Cramps57%

Ache (dull continuous pain)57%

Low-level internal buzzing / electric-like sensations53%

Numbness48%

Lightheadedness/ Dizziness48%

Head Pain (stabbing/ sharp/ localized head pain)48%

Headache (atypical/new onset)44%

Balance Issues46%

Difficulty Walking42%

Tinnitus (ringing in ears)46%

Vision Changes / Blurry Vision49%

Dry Eyes39%

Skeletal System

Pain in Joints61%

Deep Bone Pain57%

Pain in Ribs36%

Joint instability (clicking, popping, unstable joints)32%

Integumentary System (Skin)

Skin Changes (hyperpigmented, mottled, or blotchy)40%

Wrinkled skin (accelerated aging of skin)39%

Itchy Skin38%

Skin Rash32%

Skin Lesions (ulcers, papules, macules, or nodules)24%

Tight Skin25%

Endocrine System

Fatigue65%

Insomnia52%

Hair LossLearn more →35%

Low Body Temperature28%

Loss of Appetite/ Anorexia26%

Unexplained Weight Loss25%

Cardiovascular & Circulatory System

Tachycardia (fast heart rate)38%

Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)29%

Chest Pain30%

Other Palpitations25%

Hypertension (high blood pressure) (new onset)18%

Edema (swelling of extremities)18%

Digestive System

Digestive Symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.)49%

Abdominal Pain33%

Food intolerances (new)22%

Pain in Liver/Gallbladder Area22%

Respiratory System

Shortness of Breath35%

Flu-like Symptoms23%

Urinary System

Pain in Kidneys or Bladder30%

Symptoms of Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) Explained

Do you know the symptoms of Gadolinium Deposition Disease after an MRI with gadolinium contrast? In this informative video series, we dive deep into how to identify this condition related to magnetic resonance imaging. Our radiology expert, Dr. Richard Semelka, explains the warning signs you should look out for and the steps you can take if you suspect you may be affected. Understanding the effects of gadolinium deposition is crucial for your health post-MRI. Watch now to learn more about this important topic and stay informed about your radiology procedures. Don't miss out on this essential knowledge!