see sections “Why Would I Need a Contrast MRI?” and “Which Types of MRI Require Contrast”

https://www.ashospital.net/blog/why-do-i-need-contrast-for-m...

For your anecdata I'm in Sweden and definitely had a contrast agent (presumably gadolinium based) for a recent MRI of my gallbladder/pancreas/liver area.

> previous research has shown that even in those with no symptoms, gadolinium particles have been found in the kidney and the brain and can be detected in the blood and urine years after exposure

So do you stop eating high oxilate and high vitamin C food for a year after the MRI? Are there foods or drinks that help flush gadolinium?

> I'm not aware that in Europe that contrast agent would be used that much for MRI

I’m a New Zealand MR tech. Based on the practice of my European colleagues, they give it just as often as we do.

I'm in the UK and getting one to diagnose ED/recurrent priapism.

It depends on the indication for the scan. Some indications do not require contrast, others MUST have contrast in order to have any value. If you refuse contrast without understanding the reason, you may be simply wasting your time and money.