Kidney Stone Composition Analysis

Submitted on March 27, 2012

A kidney stone analysis refers to a test that is conducted on a kidney stone for the purpose of checking the chemicals present in it.

This kidney stone analysis medical tests are conducted on a kidney stone which has either been passed out by the process of urination or taken out during surgery from the urinary tract of the affected person. An analysis of all kidney stones is important, regardless of how big or small they are. Kidney stone analysis is important as it gives both the patient and the urologist information that can help prevent other kidney stones from taking shape. Most of those who have previously suffered from a kidney stone earlier have chances of getting it again and it is necessary that preventive measures be adhered to. Sometimes kidney stone analysis is also done to treat a kidney stone.

Symptoms of Kidney Stone

Kidney stones refer to a small hard deposit of minerals salts and acid that is located on the inner surface of the kidneys. Kidney stones are painful but they usually do not cause any damage.

Symptoms of kidney stones do not occur until the stones move into the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder. Symptoms could include:-

  • Pain during urination.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • A persistent urge to urinate.
  • Bloody, cloudy or foul smelling urine.
  • Fluctuations in the intensity of the pain.
  • Fever and chills if there is an infection.

Talk to your doctor if you experience any of the above listed symptoms. He/she will recommend a kidney stone analysis test and ask you to collect the stone. You may be given a kidney stone strainer or you can purchase one from a drug store. This would be part of your kidney stone analysis kit. It is important to strain the first specimen of urine in the morning as a stone may have passed into your bladder during the night. Examine the strainer carefully for a stone. It may look like a small piece of gravel or a grain of sand. Keep the stone dry and take it to your doctor’s office. Do not put tape on it as this can affect the kidney stone analysis results.

Composition Analysis

A kidney stone composition analysis is given below:-

  • Less than 1 % of kidney stones are made up of cystine.
  • About 5% to 10% of stones are made up of uric acid.
  • 10% to 15% of kidney stones are made up of magnesium ammonium phosphate.
  • About 80% of kidney stones are made up of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate or a combination of both.
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