Tyrosine crystals appear as fine silky needles arranged in sheaves or bundles in acidic urine. They are rarely present and may appear together with leucine crystals in liver disease. Do not confuse tyrosine with crystals caused by X-ray dye. X-ray dyes will cause the urine specific gravity to be greatly increased (>1.035). Tyrosine crystals are soluble in alkali or dilute mineral acid.
