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BEFORE YOUR SCANContrast dye? 5 things kidneypatients should say before the scan1Iodinated contrast (CT, cardiac cath, angiography) can causeacute kidney injury; the lower the eGFR the higher the risk, andeGFR <30 is the main risk factor.2Tell them first: "I have chronic kidney disease, my eGFR is__", and bring your latest blood results; the doctor will weighwhether the test is necessary or another test can be used.3Prevention (KDIGO): IV fluids before and after, the lowestnecessary dose, and no NSAIDs or other kidney-toxic drugsaround the time of the scan.4On metformin? Whether to pause and when to restart depends onkidney function and the type of exam — ask beforehand; don'tstop or continue on your own.5Gadolinium for MRI: at eGFR <30 some older (group I) agentscarry a risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis; the group IIagents now commonly used carry very low risk. If urine outputfalls or you swell or get breathless in the days after, go back.One sentence that protects your kidneys: "I have kidney disease — does this testneed contrast?"BBeyond CKDbeyondckd.com/en/cards/contrast-and-kidneysSources: KDIGO 2012 Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Kidney Injury · ACR Manual on…Compiled from public clinical guidelines · General education, not individual medical advice
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Before your scan

Contrast dye? 5 things kidney patients should say before the scan

CT scans and cardiac catheterisation may use contrast — if your kidneys are weak, speak up before the test.

  1. 1Iodinated contrast (CT, cardiac cath, angiography) can cause acute kidney injury; the lower the eGFR the higher the risk, and eGFR <30 is the main risk factor.
  2. 2Tell them first: "I have chronic kidney disease, my eGFR is __", and bring your latest blood results; the doctor will weigh whether the test is necessary or another test can be used.
  3. 3Prevention (KDIGO): IV fluids before and after, the lowest necessary dose, and no NSAIDs or other kidney-toxic drugs around the time of the scan.
  4. 4On metformin? Whether to pause and when to restart depends on kidney function and the type of exam — ask beforehand; don't stop or continue on your own.
  5. 5Gadolinium for MRI: at eGFR <30 some older (group I) agents carry a risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis; the group II agents now commonly used carry very low risk. If urine output falls or you swell or get breathless in the days after, go back.

One sentence that protects your kidneys: "I have kidney disease — does this test need contrast?"

Caption (ready to paste)

CT scans and cardiac catheterisation may use contrast — if your kidneys are weak, speak up before the test.

1. Iodinated contrast (CT, cardiac cath, angiography) can cause acute kidney injury; the lower the eGFR the higher the risk, and eGFR <30 is the main risk factor.
2. Tell them first: "I have chronic kidney disease, my eGFR is __", and bring your latest blood results; the doctor will weigh whether the test is necessary or another test can be used.
3. Prevention (KDIGO): IV fluids before and after, the lowest necessary dose, and no NSAIDs or other kidney-toxic drugs around the time of the scan.
4. On metformin? Whether to pause and when to restart depends on kidney function and the type of exam — ask beforehand; don't stop or continue on your own.
5. Gadolinium for MRI: at eGFR <30 some older (group I) agents carry a risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis; the group II agents now commonly used carry very low risk. If urine output falls or you swell or get breathless in the days after, go back.

One sentence that protects your kidneys: "I have kidney disease — does this test need contrast?"

Sources: KDIGO 2012 Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Kidney Injury — Kidney Int Suppl 2012;2:1–138 (Section 4.4 contrast-induced AKI); ACR Manual on Contrast Media (2024) — American College of Radiology
Verified: 2026-10-16

Cards and scripts are general health education compiled from public clinical guidelines. They are not individual medical advice and do not replace assessment by your doctor, pharmacist or dietitian. Please keep the sources and this notice when sharing; this page holds the latest version.
https://beyondckd.com/en/cards/contrast-and-kidneys
60-second short-video script

Shot list and voice-over. Vertical 9:16; put captions in the lower third. Every line maps to the sources on the left.

secScreenVoice-over
0–5CT scanner + syringeBooked for a CT or a cardiac cath? Kidney patients should say five things before the contrast goes in.
5–16Kidney icon + scale "eGFR <30" in redIodinated contrast can cause acute kidney injury. The lower the eGFR, the higher the risk — below 30 is the main risk factor.
16–26Patient speech bubble to doctor + lab reportSay it first: I have chronic kidney disease, my eGFR is this. Bring your latest results. The doctor will decide whether the test is necessary or another test can be used.
26–36IV drip, lowest dose, NSAID ✗Prevention: IV fluids before and after, the lowest necessary dose, and no NSAIDs or other kidney-toxic drugs around the scan.
36–45Metformin box + question markOn metformin? Whether to pause and when to restart depends on kidney function and the exam. Ask beforehand — don't stop or carry on by yourself.
45–55MRI machine + "gadolinium · eGFR <30 · group I vs II"Gadolinium for MRI: below eGFR 30, some older agents risk nephrogenic systemic fibrosis; the group II agents used today carry very low risk. If urine drops or you swell or get breathless afterwards, go back.
55–60Site logo + URL + QROne sentence that protects your kidneys: I have kidney disease — does this test need contrast? More at Beyond CKD.

Sources (every point on the card maps to one)

Verified: 2026-10-16