The presence of crystals in the urine is normally a normal situation and it can happen due to eating habits, little water intake and changes in body temperature, for example. However, when crystals are present in higher concentrations in the urine, it can be indicative of some disease, such as kidney stones, gout and urinary infections, for example.
Crystals correspond to the precipitation of substances that may be present in the body, such as medicines and organic compounds, such as phosphate, calcium and magnesium, for example. This precipitation can occur due to several situations, mainly due to changes in body temperature, urinary infections, changes in the urine pH and high concentration of substances.
The crystals can be identified by means of a urine test, called EAS, in which the urine sample collected and sent to the laboratory is analyzed through the microscope, making it possible to identify the presence of crystals and other abnormal elements in the urine. In addition, the EAS test indicates the pH of the urine, as well as the presence of bacteria, for example. Learn more about urine testing and how to do it.
Symptoms of crystals in urine
The presence of crystals does not normally cause symptoms, as it can represent something normal. However, when found in high concentrations, the person may show some symptoms, such as changes in the color of the urine, difficulty in urinating or abdominal pain, for example, which may indicate kidney problems, for example. Therefore, perform the following test to check for urine crystals:
- 1. Frequent desire to urinate Yes No
- 2. Urinate in small amounts at a time Yes No
- 3. Constant pain in the bottom of your back or flanks Yes No
- 4. Swelling of the legs, feet, arms or face Yes No
- 5. Itching all over the body Yes No
- 6. Excessive tiredness for no apparent reason Yes No
- 7. Changes in the color and smell of urine Yes No
- 8. Presence of foam in the urine Yes No
- 9. Difficulty sleeping or poor sleep quality Yes No
- 10. Loss of appetite and metallic taste in the mouth Yes No
- 11. Feeling of pressure in the belly when urinating Yes No
In the presence of these symptoms, the most recommended is to go to the general practitioner or nephrologist to order tests and, thus, the diagnosis and treatment can be started.
What can it be
The result of the urine test may indicate the presence of crystals, indicating the type observed. Usually in the report it is indicated that there are rare, few, several or numerous crystals, which helps the doctor in the diagnosis process. The main causes that lead to the formation of crystals are:
- Dehydration: The low intake of water causes an increase in the concentration of substances that form the crystals due to the low concentration of water. This stimulates the precipitation of salts, resulting in the formation of crystals; Use of medicines: The use of some medicines can precipitate and lead to the formation of some crystals, as is the case of the sulfonamide crystal and the ampicillin crystal, for example; Urinary infections: The presence of microorganisms in the urinary system can lead to the formation of crystals due to the change in pH, which can favor the precipitation of some compounds, such as the triple phosphate crystal, for example, which can be found in genitourinary infections; Hyperprotein diet: Excessive protein consumption can overload the kidneys and result in the formation of crystals due to the increased concentration of the protein digestion by-product, uric acid, and uric acid crystals can be observed under the microscope; Gout: Gout is an inflammatory and painful disease caused by an increase in the concentration of uric acid in the blood, but it can also be identified in the urine, with uric acid crystals being noticed; Kidney stone: Kidney stones, also called kidney stones or urolithiasis, can happen due to several factors, being perceived through characteristic symptoms, but also through urine examination, in which numerous oxalate crystals and calcium, for example.
The presence of crystals in the urine can also be the result of innate errors of metabolism or indicative of diseases in the liver, for example. Therefore, it is important that if any change is identified in the urine test, the doctor requests biochemical or imaging tests to assist the diagnosis and, thus, start the best treatment.
Types of crystals
The type of crystal is determined by the cause and pH of the urine, the main crystals being:
- Calcium oxalate crystal, which has an envelope shape and is normally present in urine with acid or neutral pH. In addition to being considered a normal finding, when in low concentrations, it can be indicative of kidney stones and is usually related to a diet rich in calcium and intake of little water, for example. This type of crystal can also be identified in large quantities in diabetes mellitus, liver disease, severe kidney disease and as a consequence of a diet rich in vitamin C, for example; Uric acid crystal, which is normally found in acidic pH urines and is usually related to a high protein diet, since uric acid is a by-product of protein breakdown. Thus, high protein diets lead to uric acid accumulation and precipitation. In addition, the presence of uric acid crystals in the urine may be indicative of gout and chronic nephritis, for example. Learn all about uric acid. Triple phosphate crystal, which is found in alkaline pH urines and consists of phosphate, magnesium and ammonia. This type of crystal in high concentrations may be indicative of cystitis and prostate hypertrophy, in the case of men.
Some liver diseases can be indicated through the presence of some types of crystals in the urine, such as tyrosine crystal, leucine, bilirubin, cystine and ammonium biurate, for example. The presence of leucine crystals in the urine, for example, can trigger cirrhosis or viral hepatitis, requiring further tests to confirm the diagnosis.
