Distal renal tubular acidosis - tests and medication?

[happylife]

Hi

My ultrasound kub showed about 30 small kidney stones (microliths less than 3mm each)

I was wondering that this could be distal renal tubular acidosis. Which i understand 20% sjogren patients have.

Does my kidney stones possibly indicate this?

What tests are done to confirm this?

What is the medication for this?

Is this controllable or will lead to kidney failure?

Thanks

[Linda196]

RTA can cause kidney stones of a specific type, and if the stones are analyzed after being expelled, you will find out if they are calcium phosphate or urate, the most common types. The calcium phosphate stones are the ones formed in RTA.

Kidney stones can be either a cause or an effect of RTA. Urine testing for ph, urinalysis, calcium/citric acid/potassium levels, and blood levels for potassium are the protocol, and treatment involves alkalization agents like sodium bicarbonate, with close monitoring of fluid and electrolyte balances.

RTA is, for the most part, very manageable, and kidney failure isn't a common outcome. Any serious problems that may arise are more from the systemic and metabolic complications

[happylife]

Thanks Linda.

Others please share your views.

[Madison Granny]

I have distal renal tubular acidosis as well as promiminal renal tubular acidosis.  I have lots of very very little stones in both kidneys.  I have had 6 kidney stone removal surgeries.  I was dianogized by a 24 hour urine test, urinalisis to test for urine PH.  I used to take just sodium bicarb but when the promininal got worse we had to add liquid potassium.  It is mangeabe and does not cause kidney failure.