Question 1

What is Kidney Stones?

Accepted Answer

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They are caused by elevated levels of calcium, uric acid, oxalate, or other stone-forming substances in the urine, combined with insufficient fluid intake and metabolic abnormalities. The Urinalysis, Complete Profile is the most important test for kidney stone diagnosis because it detects crystal types, measures urine pH, and identifies urinary abnormalities contributing to stone formation.

Question 2

What causes kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

Kidney stones are caused by elevated concentrations of stone-forming substances like calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite, or cystine in the urine. When you don't drink enough water, these minerals become concentrated and crystallize, forming hard deposits in your kidneys. Other contributing factors include metabolic disorders affecting calcium or uric acid metabolism, chronic dehydration, high-protein or high-sodium diets, certain medications, and underlying conditions like hyperparathyroidism or gout that increase mineral levels in urine.

Question 3

What is the best test for kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

The Urinalysis, Complete Profile is the most important test for kidney stones because it detects crystal types like calcium oxalate and struvite in your urine, measures pH levels that influence stone formation risk, and identifies red blood cells or other abnormalities indicating kidney damage. The Uric Acid, Serum test is essential for identifying high uric acid levels that lead to uric acid stone formation. The Calcium, Serum test helps detect elevated blood calcium from conditions like hyperparathyroidism that contribute to calcium-based stones. Together, these tests identify your specific stone type and metabolic risk factors to guide prevention strategies.

Question 4

When should I get tested for kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you experience severe pain in your side or back that radiates to your lower abdomen and groin, painful urination with blood in your urine, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, frequent urination with only small amounts passing, or nausea and vomiting accompanying the pain. Get tested immediately if you've passed a stone before, have a family history of kidney stones, or notice pink, red, or brown urine. Early testing helps identify metabolic risk factors and prevents future stone formation through targeted dietary and lifestyle modifications.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

Kidney stone symptoms include severe, sharp pain in your side and back below the ribs that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity. You might notice pain that radiates to your lower abdomen and groin, burning sensation during urination, pink, red, or brown urine indicating blood, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, frequent urge to urinate with small amounts passing, nausea and vomiting, and fever with chills if infection is present. Small stones may pass without symptoms, while larger stones cause intense pain that requires immediate medical attention.

Question 6

Who is at risk for kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

You're at higher risk for kidney stones if you have a family or personal history of stones, don't drink enough water throughout the day, eat a high-protein, high-sodium, or high-sugar diet, are overweight or obese, have had digestive surgery or inflammatory bowel disease, or take certain medications like diuretics or calcium-based antacids. Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women. Conditions like hyperparathyroidism, gout, urinary tract infections, and metabolic disorders significantly increase your risk. Living in hot climates with chronic dehydration also raises stone formation risk.

Question 7

What happens if kidney stones are left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated kidney stones can cause severe complications including chronic kidney damage from blocked urine flow, recurrent urinary tract infections that spread to the kidneys, hydronephrosis where backed-up urine swells the kidney, permanent kidney tissue scarring, and in severe cases, kidney failure requiring dialysis. Large stones blocking the ureter create intense pain and prevent waste elimination, leading to dangerous toxin buildup. Struvite stones from chronic infections can grow rapidly and cause life-threatening sepsis. Early detection through blood and urine testing prevents these complications and guides treatment before permanent damage occurs.

Question 8

Can kidney stones be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Blood tests cannot directly diagnose kidney stones, but they identify critical risk factors and metabolic causes. The Calcium, Serum test detects elevated blood calcium from hyperparathyroidism that contributes to calcium stones, while the Uric Acid, Serum test measures uric acid levels linked to uric acid stone formation. Blood tests also assess kidney function to detect damage from stones. The Urinalysis, Complete Profile is the definitive test for diagnosing stones because it detects actual crystals in urine, measures pH affecting stone formation, and identifies blood or infection indicating active stones.

Question 9

How are kidney stones treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for kidney stones depends on their size and location. Small stones often pass naturally by drinking plenty of water, taking pain relievers, and using medications like alpha-blockers to relax ureter muscles and ease stone passage. Larger stones require medical intervention including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy that uses sound waves to break stones into passable fragments, ureteroscopy where a scope removes or breaks up stones, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy for very large stones. After treatment, metabolic testing guides prevention strategies like dietary changes, increased hydration, and medications to reduce stone-forming substances in your urine.

Question 10

How can I prevent kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

Prevent kidney stones by drinking at least 8-12 glasses of water daily to dilute stone-forming substances in your urine, reducing sodium intake to lower calcium levels in urine, limiting animal protein from meat and fish, eating calcium-rich foods with meals instead of taking supplements, and reducing oxalate-rich foods like spinach, nuts, and chocolate if you form calcium oxalate stones. Maintain a healthy weight, limit sugar intake, and avoid excessive vitamin C supplements. If you've had stones before, get metabolic blood and urine testing to identify your specific risk factors and follow targeted prevention strategies recommended by your healthcare provider.

Question 11

What natural remedies help with kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

Natural remedies that help with kidney stones include drinking lemon juice mixed with water daily, as citrate in lemons prevents crystal formation and breaks down small stones. Apple cider vinegar may help dissolve stones and alkalize urine. Basil tea contains acetic acid that helps break down stones and reduce pain. Pomegranate juice with its antioxidants supports kidney health. However, the most effective natural remedy is drinking large amounts of water consistently throughout the day to flush out stone-forming minerals. Always combine natural approaches with medical testing to monitor stone-forming risk factors and ensure proper treatment for existing stones.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
            Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Kidney Stones Blood Test & Lab Work

What is Kidney Stones?

What causes kidney stones?

What is the best test for kidney stones?

When should I get tested for kidney stones?

References

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