It occurs if you have the genetic disease called cystinuria. This disease results from a birth defect that causes the kidney to allow too much cystine into the urine. This type of stone formation is almost always diagnosed during childhood. The most common symptom of kidney stones is severe, crampy pain in your back or abdomen. You may also have nausea and vomiting.
Some people have no symptoms until they pass gravel-like stones in their urine.
Others never have any symptoms, and their stones are found during testing for other problems. Your health care provider will examine you and order blood and urine tests. Sometimes the pattern of pain over time is helpful in the diagnosis. The pain may move from the upper to the lower abdomen over a few hours. As the stone moves lower, the pain may be felt in the genitals, especially the testicles in men and the labia in women.