Kidney Stones - Risk Factors

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Tests for Infection. A test result that shows a high white blood cell count might indicate infection, but such results could be misleading, since white cells could also increase in response to the extreme physical stress of a kidney stone attack.

Tests for Metabolic Problems. About half of children with stones have an identifiable metabolic disorder, which increases their risk of stone recurrence five-fold. Experts argue over whether tests for metabolic abnormalities are routinely needed once the stone composition has been determined. Studies suggest the following:

• People with recurrent calcium stones have a wide range of abnormal blood or urine chemistries indicating a variety of metabolic disorders. (For example, calcium stones in women may be due to parathyroid abnormalities.)
• Calcium phosphate stones raise the likelihood of renal tubular acidosis.
• People with non-calcium stones generally have identifiable metabolic disorders.
• Determining the stone composition may be sufficient for treatment and may help avoid unnecessary metabolic tests.

Review Date: 05/22/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital