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Kidney Stone Analysis
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lab Tests

Kidney Stone Analysis

A kidney stone analysis identifies the composition of a kidney stone to help your healthcare provider create a plan to prevent future occurrences.

What is a kidney stone analysis?

Kidney stones are pebble-like pieces of material that form in the kidneys when there are high levels of minerals or salts in your urine. An analysis determines what the stone is made of, which is essential for preventing future stones. There are four main types:

  • Calcium: The most common type.
  • Uric acid: Another common type.
  • Cystine: An uncommon type caused by an inherited kidney disease called cystinuria.
  • Struvite: The most uncommon type, usually forming after a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other names: Urinary stone analysis, renal calculus analysis.

What is it used for?

The test identifies the stone's composition to help your provider understand why it formed. Because having one stone increases the likelihood of developing others, this analysis is a critical step in long-term prevention.

Why do I need a kidney stone analysis?

You may need this test if you experience symptoms of a kidney stone, such as:

  • Sharp pain in the abdomen, side, groin, or back
  • Blood in the urine
  • Frequent, painful, or difficult urination
  • Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever and chills

What happens during a kidney stone analysis?

You must collect the stone by filtering all your urine through a fine-mesh strainer. If you find a stone:

  • Place it in a clean, dry container with a lid.
  • Do not add anything to the container; keep the stone dry.
  • Do not use tape or tissue on the stone.
  • Return the container to your provider or lab.

If a stone is too large to pass, a minor surgical procedure may be required to remove it for testing.

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

No special preparations are necessary.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is no risk to the analysis itself. However, passing a stone may cause pain, urinary tract infections, or a blocked urinary tract.

What do the results mean?

The results identify the type of stone, allowing your provider to recommend specific dietary changes or medications. Most plans emphasize drinking plenty of water. Because kidney stones increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, following your provider's prevention plan is important.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Calcium stones are not caused by dairy products; in fact, dairy can help prevent them. Always consult your provider regarding specific dietary adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laboratories typically process stone analysis within 3 to 5 business days, though complex cases may take longer. If a stone is too large to pass naturally, your provider may perform a procedure called lithotripsy to break it into smaller fragments or use endoscopic techniques to remove it. In these cases, the fragments collected during or after the procedure are sent for analysis to determine composition and guide future prevention strategies.
If your stone is calcium oxalate, your provider will likely recommend increasing fluid intake to at least 2.5 liters of water daily to dilute urine. You should also reduce sodium intake, as high salt levels increase calcium excretion in urine. While it may seem counterintuitive, you should not restrict dietary calcium unless advised, as adequate calcium binds oxalate in the gut and prevents it from reaching the kidneys. Limiting high-oxalate foods like spinach, nuts, and chocolate may also be recommended.
Yes, the analysis differentiates between calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones. This distinction is critical because they have different underlying causes and prevention strategies. Calcium oxalate stones are often linked to high oxalate intake or low urine volume, while calcium phosphate stones may be associated with metabolic alkalosis or kidney tubular acidosis. Knowing the specific type allows your provider to target the correct metabolic abnormality rather than using a generic prevention plan.
If you miss the stone but experience significant symptoms, your provider may still order a metabolic workup, which includes 24-hour urine collection and blood tests to assess risk factors for stone formation. While this does not identify the exact composition of the missed stone, it provides valuable data on your urine chemistry, such as calcium, oxalate, and citrate levels, which helps in creating a personalized prevention plan based on your metabolic profile.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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