On February 19, 2024, I had a CT scan with iodine contrast. By the next day, I had become very ill and did not get better as the days passed. It took weeks, an ER visit, and multiple visits to different specialists for me to finally be sent to an endocrinologist for further evaluation. Then it took another month of blood tests and a thyroid uptake scan to find out that my symptoms were due to my thyroid becoming overactive. After being sick for 2 months, I was finally put on anti-thyroid medication and it took another 3 weeks to begin to feel better. It has been 3.5 months now since I had the CT scan and I am still not 100% back to normal. I have been unable to work during this time and had to take an unpaid medical leave of absence.

Online I have found numerous other patients to whom this has also happened.  I have learned that in some other countries it is a well known adverse effect and patients are made aware and must sign a form before receiving the contrast. If I had known the risks, I might not have had the iodine contrast and if I did, I would at least have had an idea of what was wrong with me afterwards and treatment could have been started sooner. 

Some of the symptoms that I experienced as a result of iodine contrast induced hyperthyroidism include: 

• dizziness/lightheadedness
• loss of appetite/anorexia
• weight loss
• heat intolerance 
• body temperature regulation problems 
• sweating
• tremors
• nausea
• tachycardia/palpitations
• eye pressure 
• head pressure 
• severe anxiety 
• depression
• blurry vision
• headaches

Patients with underlying thyroid disease are at risk of developing hyperthyroidism when exposed to iodinated contrast medium used in CT scans. According to studies published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, up to 10% of patients with pre-existing thyroid conditions may experience adverse effects after exposure (J Clin Endocrinol Metab).

The most at risk patients are those with underlying Grave’s disease or those with multinodular goiter. In my case it was multinodular goiter. 

In severe cases this can cause thyroid storm and even lead to death.

My goal in creating this petition is to help prevent this from happening to other unsuspecting patients in the future.

Healthcare facilities must warn patients about thyroid related risks before administering iodinated contrast medium for CT scans. Sign this petition if you believe in protecting patients by ensuring they are fully informed about potential risks related to their health conditions!

Scientific studies and articles:

https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/100/2/376/2813118​

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544277/