Crystals that form in acidic urine.
Amorphous crystals. Amorphous crystals are frequently seen in urine from various species. This is a generic and quite non-specific term and just indicates small crystals that are not identifiable as to source. Some could represent fragmentation of larger crystals. The pH of the urine can be a guide as to the likely nature of the amorphous crystals (e.g. amorphous phosphates are more likely in alkaline urine in small animal patients). The main issue with amorphous crystals is that they mimic bacterial cocci (and even undergo brownian movement in urine). When in doubt, perform a gram stain on urine. Amorphous crystals do not take up stain whereas cocci light up blue with gram stain. Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP or ATCP) is a glassy precipitate of variable composition that is formed in double decomposition reactions involving a soluble phosphate and calcium salts (e.g. (NH 4) 2 HPO 4 + Ca(NO 3) 2) performed under carefully controlled pH conditions.  Several types of amorphous crystals exist, each composed of different elements and forming in specific urine conditions. The appearance and acidity of the urine sample in question can point to specific types of amorphous crystals. However, occasionally amorphous crystals are misidentified as bacteria. Crystals are found in healthy patients' urine, but they may indicate liver impairment or live disease. When the urine is examined under a microscope, these amorphous urates might appear as particles that are yellow or yellow-brown in color. Many patients will see a note of amorphous urates on their laboratory results. Since the name sounds very clinical, it can understandably cause concern for patients. However, this is an extremely common finding that has nothing to do with your body, but rather, with the refrigeration process of the urine sample. The amorphous urates can sometimes “stick” to mucus threads or casts in your urine, thus making diagnosis of the real problem a bit trickier. Amorphous. Amorphous urates (Na, K, Mg, or Ca salts) tend to form in acidic urine and may have a yellow or yellow-brown color. Amorphous phosphates are similar in general appearance, but tend to form in alkaline urine and lack color. Xanthine crystals are usually in the form of “amorphous” crystals. Crystals are subjectively quantified in urine as few, moderate and many. For crystals that are large, e.g. calcium carbonate and struvite, this assessment is made from low power (10x objective). For smaller crystals (e.g. amorphous, calcium oxalate dihydrate), the high power (40x objective) is used. Amorphous Urates. Amorphous urates are crystals that form in acidic urine. These crystals are composed of the elements sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. They appear yellow or yellow-brown. The appearance and acidity of the urine sample in question can point to specific types of amorphous crystals. However, occasionally amorphous crystals are misidentified as bacteria. Crystals are found in healthy patients' urine, but they may indicate liver impairment or live disease. Amorphous Urates. Amorphous urates appear as dark or yellow red granules while phosphates are white or colorless. The pH of the urine determines the type of amorphous crystals present. They may be urates in acid urine or phosphates in alkaline urine.  When the urine is refrigerated, amorphous urates might develop in the sample. This is detected when the urine is put through a centrifuge, which is part of the analysis process. Tiny pink pellets will appear during this process. However, this is an extremely common finding that has nothing to do with your body, but rather, with the refrigeration process of the urine sample. The amorphous urates can sometimes “stick” to mucus threads or casts in your urine, thus making diagnosis of the real problem a bit trickier. Answer by Deb Answers. Confidence votes 84.9K. Amorphous Urates indicates uric acid crystals in the urine. Higher than acceptable levels of uric acid crystals in urine can be caused by gout, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, uric acid stone, urolithiasis, and metabolic syndrome. Urates in the urine are a sure sign that your urine has gotten solidified through the procces of dehidration and have lodged themselves in your urinary tract. Usually, the presence of these crystals is non significant. The distinction between amorphous urates and amorphous phosphates is often made on the urinary pH basis. With a simple examination of the centrifuge pellet, the precipitate of calcium phosphate is white, while that amorphous urate is pink. The amorphous urates seen in urine specimens and are, most of the time, the result of refrigeration. A pink pellet after centrifugation is characteristic of amorphous urates. Under the microscope, amorphous urates appear as yellow-brown mass of small rounded particles.
http://www.eclinpath.com/urinalysis/crystals/amorphous-crystals1/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphous_calcium_phosphate http://www.ehow.com/info_8652911_amorphous-crystals.html http://www.med-health.net/Amorphous-Urates.html http://www.eclinpath.com/urinalysis/crystals/ http://www.ehow.com/info_8652911_amorphous-crystals.html https://www.labce.com/spg30202_amorphous_urates.aspx http://www.med-health.net/Amorphous-Urates.html http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_amorphous_urates_in_urinalysis http://texascollaborative.org/spencer_urinalysis/ds_act3-1_03_crystals.htm
what is amorphous urates