What Not to Bring to an MRI (and What to Tell Your Tech)

The short answer on what not to bring to an MRI: anything metal or magnetic. That includes jewelry, phones, keys, credit cards, hair clips, and a few things most people would never guess, like workout leggings and certain medication patches. Here's the full list, plus what to tell your MRI tech before your scan so it goes smoothly the first time.

Why an MRI and Metal Don't Mix

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a very strong magnet and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body. It's especially good at showing soft tissue that an X-ray can't see clearly, like ligaments, tendons, discs in your spine, and the brain. There's no radiation involved.

The catch is that magnet. It's always on, even when no one is being scanned, and it's strong enough to pull metal objects across the room. Metal can also heat up during a scan or distort the images, which can mean a second appointment. That's why the room is so strictly controlled, and why your tech will ask you the same safety questions more than once. It's not that they forgot. It's the most important part of the process.

What Not to Bring to an MRI

Before you go into the scan room, you'll be asked to remove or leave behind:

•    Jewelry, watches, and piercings (including ones you don't usually take out)

•    Phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and fitness trackers

•    Keys, coins, wallets, and pocketknives

•    Credit cards and hotel key cards, since the magnet can wipe the magnetic strip

•    Hairpins, bobby pins, clips, and hair ties with metal pieces

•    Glasses, hearing aids, and removable dental work like dentures or retainers

•    Belts, underwire bras, and clothing with metal zippers, snaps, or buttons

The easiest move is to leave valuables at home or in the car. You'll have a secure place to store anything you do bring.

Surprising things that can cause problems

These are the ones that catch people off guard:

•    Athletic and "anti-odor" clothing. Many leggings, compression shirts, and workout socks are woven with silver or copper threads that can heat up in the scanner.

•    Medication patches. Some nicotine, pain, and hormone patches have a metal backing. Don't take one off on your own; tell the team so they can tell you what to do.

•    Makeup and glitter. Some eye makeup, body glitter, and hair products contain metallic particles. Coming in with a clean face is the simplest fix.

•    Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. These usually need to come off for the scan, so check with your doctor ahead of time about how to manage that.

What to Tell Your MRI Tech Before Your Scan

Some metal can't be left in a locker. Be upfront about anything in or on your body, even if you think it's no big deal:

•    A pacemaker, defibrillator, or other heart device

•    Cochlear implants, nerve stimulators, or a medication pump

•    Aneurysm clips, stents, or joint replacements

•    Any history of metal getting in your eyes or body, including from welding, grinding, or a past injury

•    Tattoos or permanent makeup

•    Pregnancy or the chance you could be pregnant

•    Kidney problems or past reactions to contrast dye, if your scan uses contrast

•    Feeling anxious in tight spaces

Most implants today are MRI-safe or MRI-conditional, which means a scan can still happen with the right settings. But the team has to know exactly what you have. If you were given an implant card, bring it. And if you've ever worked around metal, like a lot of folks in our area's shops, plants, and job sites, mention it even if you never felt anything get in your eye. Your doctor may order a quick X-ray first to make sure the coast is clear.

"The safety questions can feel repetitive, but every one of them matters. The thing that causes problems is almost never the item people are worried about. It's the hair clip they forgot about or the welding job from twenty years ago they didn't think to mention. Tell us everything, and we'll take it from there."

— Dr. Spencer Reynolds, HealthCARE Express

What to Bring and Wear to Your MRI Appointment

Now for what you should bring: your doctor's order or referral, a photo ID, your insurance card, a list of your current medications, and any implant cards. If you've had imaging done somewhere else for the same problem, bring those results too.

Wear comfortable clothes with no metal, like cotton sweatpants and a plain T-shirt. You may be asked to change into a gown either way. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you can usually eat, drink, and take your normal medications. Some scans with contrast have different instructions, so follow whatever you're given.

What to expect during your scan

You'll lie on a padded table that slides into the scanner. The machine is loud, with a lot of knocking and buzzing, so you'll get earplugs or headphones. The most important job you have is to stay still. Most scans take about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the area being imaged, and you can talk to your tech the whole time.

At HealthCARE Express Imaging on Richmond Road in Texarkana, our imaging team offers MRI, CT, and ultrasound with the same WOWZA experience you'd get at any of our urgent care clinics. Patients from across Texarkana and the surrounding area can ask their doctor for a referral to us. And if you're not sure what's going on yet, our urgent care clinics can start with an exam and on-site X-rays to figure out your next step.

If your doctor orders an MRI, ask to be referred to HealthCARE Express Imaging in Texarkana. Learn more about HCE Imaging →