Uric Acid Kidney Stones: Types, Causes, and Fixes

Uric acid kidney stones are now the second most common stone type worldwide, closely tied to diet and metabolic dysfunction. This blog breaks down the four main subtypes of uric acid stones, how each forms, and the critical role of acidic urine and lifestyle habits in stone development. Learn what’s behind this rise—and what you can do to stop it.

Key Takeaways

• Uric acid stones make up 15% of all stones and are rising

• Acidic urine (pH < 5.5) is a key requirement for most types

• Diet and metabolic dysfunction are the leading causes

• Some uric acid stones are weak and dissolvable—others are dense and tough

With over 87% of the Western world facing some level of metabolic dysfunction, it’s no surprise that uric acid kidney stones are becoming more common—and more problematic.

Kidney stone rates are now on par with diabetes across the globe. That’s not just alarming—it’s a call to action.

And among the rising tide of stone types, uric acid stones are leading the charge.

What Are Uric Acid Kidney Stones?

Uric acid kidney stones are the second most common stone type worldwide, now accounting for about 15% of all cases—up from 8–10% just a few years ago.

Why the increase?

One word: diet.

These stones form due to:

• Low urine volume

• High uric acid concentration

• And most importantly, acidic urine with a pH below 5.5

Without acidic urine, most uric acid stones won’t form—except for one rare outlier we’ll cover later.

Let’s break down the four subtypes of uric acid stones and what causes each one.

Type 3a: The Red-Orange Bladder Stone

This is the most recognizable uric acid stone because of its distinct red-orange color, caused by a urine pigment called urocene.

• Shape: Round

• Color: Red/orange

• Location: Often found in the bladder due to prostate-related urine stasis

• Common in: Men over 40 with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

These stones form when:

• Urine flow is restricted, allowing uric acid to concentrate

• Prostate issues prevent full bladder emptying

• Diet and metabolic syndrome drive urine acidity

The solution? Improve flow and fix the diet. You can reverse the root issues.

Type 3b: The Most Common—and the Weakest

This is the most common uric acid stone—but it’s also the easiest to destroy.

Made of uric acid dihydrate, it has a weaker density, which means it’s potentially breakable using herbal solutionslike the Stone Relief CLEANSE formula.

• Color: Beige to orange

• Texture: Rough and porous

• Formation Trigger: Acidic urine, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes

This type is heavily tied to metabolic dysfunction, meaning:

• Fix your diet, and you can usually prevent these stones

• Even better, you might be able to pass them without surgery

But if left unchecked, 3b stones can harden and evolve into denser 3a stones.

Type 3c: The Outlier That Forms in Alkaline Urine

Here’s where things get interesting.

Unlike the rest of the uric acid stone family, Type 3c forms in alkaline urine (pH > 8).

• Appearance: Jagged, rough surface

• Color: Pale or white, like calcium phosphate or struvite stones

• Common in: Women with recurrent UTIs

Why? Because UTIs introduce bacteria that alkalize the urine, and when this happens in the presence of high uric acid, this rare stone forms.

Though rare, Type 3c shows how uric acid and bacterial infections can collide, especially in women.

Key triggers include:

• UTIs

• Alkaline urine

• Hyperuricemia (elevated uric acid)

Type 3d: The Vegan-Driven Stone on the Rise

This one’s increasing fast—and you may already know why.

Type 3d stones are made of ammonium hydrogen urate, a very dense stone that forms from a high-fiber, low animal protein diet.

• Color: Dull and bland (no pigmentation)

• Texture: Dense, compact

• Common in: Vegans, vegetarians, and people with chronic diarrhea

Other contributors include:

• Laxative abuse

• Digestive disorders worsened by excessive fiber

• Diets lacking in animal protein

Modern nutrition advice often pushes more fiber—but too much can disrupt digestion, leading to chronic diarrhea, acid imbalance, and eventually, stone formation.

These stones are not dissolvable, so prevention is critical. 

What’s the Root Cause Behind All These Stones?

The answer is simple, but not always easy:

Your diet.

All uric acid kidney stone types, from the soft and dissolvable to the rare and dense, are influenced by:

• Urine pH

• Uric acid levels

• Metabolic function

• Hydration and urinary flow

Fixing the food on your plate changes the chemistry of your body, your urine, and your long-term health.

Final Thoughts: You Can Stop Uric Acid Kidney Stones

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re dealing with kidney stones—especially when you hear about rare subtypes and rising risk.

But remember, there’s power in knowledge.

Once you know your stone type and the urine chemistry that’s driving it, you can take real action.

Start with these simple steps:

• Test your urine pH regularly

• Fix your diet—move away from processed, high-carb, and fiber-heavy plans

• Stay hydrated and keep urine moving

• Consider coaching to map out a specific plan

I haven’t had a single stone in over five years because I did the work. You can too.