What is Cystinuria?
Cystinuria is a rare inherited condition that affects about 1 in 7,000 people in the US.1 It is characterized by the abundance of cystine in the urine, which leads to the formation of cystine crystals and stones in the kidney, ureter, and bladder.2
Most people with cystinuria do not get kidney failure, however cystine stones can lead to blockage and damage in the urinary tract, as well as infections.3 Smaller stones may be passed out of the body during urination, while larger and painful stones may require surgery.
You will only experience symptoms if you have stones. Symptoms of cystinuria may include:2
- Sharp pain in the side or back (almost always on one side)
- Pain while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Pain in the groin, pelvis and abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
References
- Leslie SW, Sajjad H, Nazzal L. (2023). Cystinuria. Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470527/ [Accessed: September 6 2024].
- National Kidney Foundation. 2016. Cystine Stones. [online] Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/what-are-cystine-stones [Accessed: September 4 2024].
- International Cystinuria Foundaion. 2024. What is Cystinuria. [online] Available at: https://cystinuria.org/what-is-cystinuria/ [Accessed: September 6 2024].