Can an mri with contrast detect giant cell arteritis? ive been having headaches for months, and my neuro never mentioned it, so i assume this would be unlikely. did not have any blood tests?

Giant cell artertitis is diagnosed by biopsy not by MRI. The type that causes headaches is also called Temporal Atertiis and in the temporal artery - it can cause blindness from opthalmic branch involvementThere are many causes of headaches and it would be unsual for temporal arteritis to present in your age group. It is diagnosed by biopsy and treated with steroids. The blood test is an ESR .

giant cell arteritis is best diagnosed with a blood test called an elevated ESR or sed rate. If elevated the diagnosis is confirmed a temporal artery biopsy which shows the presence of giant cells in the lining of the artery .

MRI is not a test for "giant cell arteritis", and the best screening studies are sed rate and C-reactive protein. If abnormal, a temporal artery biopsy may be confirmatory. Although you are too young to have this, if your headaches are not under control, discuss next steps with your neurologist. Wonder if second opinion might be useful.