How to know which type of kidney stone you have

If you have a kidney stone, you may want to know what type of stone it is. This is not something you can figure out on your own.

A doctor can find out more about your kidney stone by using different types of diagnostic tests. These may include imaging tests like an abdominal X-ray or CT scan (computed tomography), or lab tests like a urinalysis or blood test.

Imaging tests provide the doctor with visual information about the stone, such as its size, shape, and location. They might also be able to identify causes or complications, such as a urinary tract obstruction.

Lab tests like urinalysis or a blood test provide samples of the different types of molecules present in your urine or blood, respectively. Elevated levels of calcium, phosphorus, and other compounds can indicate which type of stone you have.

Once you’ve passed a stone or had it surgically removed, it will often be sent to a lab to be analyzed. This stone analysis can be used to determine whether you’re likely to have another stone.

Your doctor can help you determine what you might be able to do to prevent a recurrence.