Understanding Your Medical Test: A Patient Guide to Testing, Procedures, and Result Interpretation
This test examines your urine sample under a microscope to count and identify ammonium urate crystals, which may indicate certain metabolic or kidney conditions.
{"Ammonium urate crystals are microscopic particles that can form in urine when uric acid combines with ammonia","These crystals may be associated with gout, kidney stones, or certain metabolic conditions","The test is performed on a urine sample examined under a low-power microscope","Results help doctors evaluate kidney function and urinary tract health","Presence of crystals does not always mean disease - diet and hydration can affect results"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 53130-1
- Short code
- Amm Urate Cry #/area UrnS LPF
- Synonyms
- Amm Urate Cry #/area UrnS LPF
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 3.5
- Ref high
- 7.2
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- microscopy-light-lpf
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test, and why might my healthcare provider recommend it as part of my care?
The Ammonium Urate Crystal test is a microscopic examination of your urine sediment. A laboratory technician looks at your urine sample under a low-power microscope to count and identify ammonium urate crystals. These crystals form when uric acid combines with ammonia in your urine. The test is part of a routine urinalysis and helps healthcare providers assess your urinary tract and kidney health.
How is the test performed, and what should I expect before, during, and after the procedure?
You will provide a clean urine sample, usually collected in a sterile container. For best results, your healthcare provider may ask you to collect a first-morning sample, as this is more concentrated. The urine sample is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the solid materials (sediment) from the liquid. The sediment is examined under a microscope, where the technician counts the number of ammonium urate crystals seen per low-power field.
What do the results mean, and how will my doctor use them to guide my diagnosis and treatment?
The presence and amount of ammonium urate crystals is reported as a number per low-power field (LPF). Small amounts may be normal, especially if you have not fasted before the test. However, higher amounts may indicate: gout (a type of arthritis), kidney stones, urinary tract infection, or certain metabolic disorders. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your symptoms, medical history, and other test findings.
Reference range
NCBI: Uric Acid Male 3.5-7.2 mg/dL; Female 2.5-6.8 mg/dLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Ammonium urate crystals in urine may be clinically significant when found in elevated amounts. These crystals are commonly associated with gout, a condition caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. They may also indicate the presence of kidney stones, particularly uric acid stones. In some cases, these crystals can be seen in patients with urinary tract infections or certain metabolic conditions. However, the presence of crystals alone is not diagnostic of disease - doctors consider the full clinical picture including symptoms, other lab results, and imaging studies when making a diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Is this test painful?
What happens if crystals are found in my urine?
Can diet affect the results?
How are crystals treated if found?
Sources
- 1MedlinePlus - UrinalysisSource
- 2Mayo Clinic - GoutSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy