Urine Crystals in Humans

The kidneys process the body’s waste and eliminate it from the body as urine. Urine is a concentrated fluid. People sometimes pass urine crystals in their urine. According to WebMD, a small amount of urine crystals is normal, but when a large number of urine crystals are present, it may be an indication of a problem.

What is a Urine Crystal?

• When the kidney isn’t able to completely process large amounts of calcium, phosphate and/or oxalate, among other chemicals in the body, small insoluble crystals form in the urine.

Appearance

• A urine crystal is generally a tiny particle with either no particular shape or a needle-like appearance. It’s frequently the color of a grain of sand.

Causes

• Urine crystals form when the acidity of urine changes. Urine naturally consists of chemicals preventing crystals from developing; however, these chemicals sometimes stop working, which causes urine crystals to develop. Crystals also develop from a bladder abnormality that causes an infection in the urine. Certain medications and X-ray dyes cause urine crystals.

Types

• Normal urine crystals contain amorphous urates, crystalline uric acid, calcium oxalates, amorphous phosphates—chemicals routinely found in a healthy person’s urine. Crystals with cystine, tyrosine and leucine are considered abnormal and can clump together to create a larger mass or stone.

Detection

• The type of urine crystals is detectable with a urinalysis where a sample of urine is taken and sent to a lab. A lab technician performs a series of diagnostic tests to identify possible urine abnormalities.

Passing Urine Crystals

• Even when urine crystals form, they’re usually eliminated from the body without notice. Yet occasionally a group of crystals join together and create a kidney stone in the urinary tract.