Crystals

Crystals that are found in urine are not always an indication of disease. They can be caused by a diet that has an increased amount of protein or certain drugs. In some cases, however, the presence of crystals in urine can be an indication of a more serious medical condition, organ dysfunction, or an infection in the urinary tract.

Symptoms that would indicate a more serious condition are:

 fever

 severe abdominal pain

 blood in the urine

 jaundice

 fatigue

The type of crystal or unstructured compound is dependent on the pH and osmolality of the urine. Common crystals can normally be found in acid, neutral or alkaline urine. However, abnormal crystals are usually only present in acid or neutral urine.

Urine pH Type of Crystal Potential Indications

Alkaline Calcium phosphate Kidney stone formation (renal calculi)

Alkaline Triphosphate Kidney stone formation (renal calculi)

Obstructive uropathy (flow of urine is blocked) Urinary tract infection Proteus mirabilis infection

Alkaline Calcium Carbonate Kidney stone formation (renal calculi)

Acid Calcium Oxalate Too much oxalate rich foods

Hyperoxaluria which is characterized by recurrent kidney and bladder stones

and often results in end stage renal disease

Ethylene glycol poisoning Diabetes mellitus

Acid Uric Acid Gout, leukemia, chronic nephritis, high purine

metabolism

Acid Hippuric Normal

Acid to Neutral Leucine Sever liver disease

Acid to Neutral Tyrosine Metabolic disorders like kidney and liver disease,

Urine pH Type of Crystal Potential Indications

intellectual disability, body cannot break down

tyrosine

Acid to Neutral Cystine Cystinuria – symptoms cause nausea. Back and

groin pain

Acid to Neutral Cholesterol Renal tubular disease/renal failure

Kidney stones may form when your urine contains an increased amount of calcium, oxalate and uric acid. Additionally, your urine may also be more concentrated and/or have a deficiency of constituents that would normally prevent crystals from sticking together and thus creating the perfect conditions for kidney stones to form.