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Crystals in Urine

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What is a crystals in urine test?

Your urine contains many chemicals. Sometimes these chemicals form solids, called crystals. A crystal in urine test looks at the amount, size, and type of crystals in your urine. It’s normal to have a few small urine crystals. Larger crystals or specific types of crystals can become kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard, pebble-like substances that can get stuck in the kidneys. A stone can be as small as a grain of sand, as big as a pea, or even larger. While kidney stones rarely cause serious damage, they can be very painful.

Other names: urinalysis (crystals) microscopic urine analysis, microscopic examination of urine

What is it used for?

A crystal in urine test is often part of a urinalysis, a test that measures different substances in your urine. A urinalysis may include a visual check of your urine sample, tests for certain chemicals, and an examination of urine cells under a microscope. A crystal in urine test is part of a microscopic exam of urine. It may be used to help diagnose kidney stones or a problem with your metabolism, the process of how your body uses food and energy.

Why do I need a crystals in urine test?

A urinalysis is often part of a routine checkup. Your health care provider may include a crystals in urine test in your urinalysis if you have symptoms of a kidney stone. These include:

  • Sharp pains in your abdomen, side, or groin
  • Back pain
  • Blood in your urine
  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Pain when urinating
  • Cloudy or bad-smelling urine
  • Nausea and vomiting

What happens during a crystals in urine test?

You will need to provide a sample of your urine. During your office visit, you will receive a container to collect the urine and special instructions to make sure the sample is sterile. These instructions are often called the “clean catch method.” The clean catch method includes the following steps:

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Clean your genital area with a cleansing pad. Men should wipe the tip of their penis. Women should open their labia and clean from front to back.
  3. Start to urinate into the toilet.
  4. Move the collection container under your urine stream.
  5. Collect at least an ounce or two of urine into the container, which should have markings to indicate the amount.
  6. Finish urinating into the toilet.
  7. Return the sample container as instructed by your health care provider.
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Your health care provider may also request that you collect all urine during a 24-hour period. This is called a “24-hour urine sample test.” It is used because the amounts of substances in urine, including crystals, can vary throughout the day. Your health care provider or a laboratory professional will give you a container to collect your urine and instructions on how to collect and store your samples. A 24-hour urine sample test usually includes the following steps:

  • Empty your bladder in the morning and flush that urine away. Record the time.
  • For the next 24 hours, save all your urine passed in the container provided.
  • Store your urine container in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice.
  • Return the sample container to your health care provider’s office or the laboratory as instructed.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don’t need any special preparations for a crystals in urine test. Be sure to carefully follow all the instructions for providing a 24-hour urine sample.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is no known risk to having a crystals in urine test.

What do the results mean?

If a large number, large size, or certain types of crystal are found in your urine, it may mean you have a kidney stone that requires medical treatment, but it doesn’t always mean you need treatment. Sometimes a small kidney stone can pass through your urine on its own, and cause little or no pain. Also, certain medicines, your diet, and other factors can affect your results. If you have questions about your urine crystal results, talk to your health care provider.

See also  Mucus in Urine

Is there anything else I need to know about a crystals in urine test?

If a urinalysis is part of your regular checkup, your urine will be tested for a variety of substances in addition to crystals. These include red and white blood cells, proteins, acid and sugar levels, cell fragments, bacteria, and yeast.

References

  1. Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner & Suddarth’s Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; c2014. Urinalysis; 509 p.
  2. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Johns Hopkins Medicine; Health Library: Kidney Stones [cited 2017 Jul 1]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/kidney_and_urinary_system_disorders/kidney_stones_85,p01494
  3. LaboratoryInfo.Com [Internet]. LaboratoryInfo.Com; c2017. Types of Crystals Found In Human Urine and Their Clinical Significance; 2015 Apr 12 [cited 2017 Jul 1]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: http://laboratoryinfo.com/types-of-crystals-in-urine
  4. Lab Tests Online [Internet]. American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c2001–2017. Glossary: 24-Hour Urine Sample [cited 2017 Jul 1]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org/glossary/urine-24
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