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Uric Acid

Also known as Urate

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

No special preparation is required.

Understanding Uric Acid

What is Uric Acid?

The Uric Acid test measures the concentration of uric acid in the blood. The test is typically done as part of a routine blood test or to diagnose and monitor conditions related to high or low uric acid levels, such as gout, kidney stones, and other kidney diseases. It can also be used to monitor uric acid levels in people undergoing cancer treatments, like chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Uric acid is a nitrogenous waste product that forms when the body breaks down purines, substances found naturally in the body, and certain foods. While a certain uric acid level is normal and necessary for healthy bodily functions, abnormal levels indicate various medical conditions. An Uric Acid test measures the uric acid levels in the blood and provides valuable information about these health conditions.

Uric acid levels are a key factor in the development of gout. An Uric Acid test aids in diagnosing gout and monitoring uric acid levels to prevent and manage gout attacks. Furthermore, uric acid is primarily excreted by the kidneys. Hence, an Uric Acid test is often used to evaluate kidney disorders, as abnormal uric acid levels may indicate impaired kidney function.

Your doctor may recommend this test if you experience symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, and redness, which are characteristic of gout. Furthermore, this test is also valuable if you experience symptoms such as severe lower back pain, nausea, and vomiting, which are characteristics of kidney stones.

High uric acid levels in the blood, known as hyperuricemia, can be associated with gout, kidney disease, and certain cancers. In contrast, low levels may be seen in rare genetic disorders or liver disease. Usually, no special preparation is required for this test; eat and drink as per your daily routine.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Factors such as diet, alcohol consumption, certain medications, and underlying health conditions can influence uric acid levels. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. The results will help them determine your medical condition, recommend lifestyle modifications, and formulate an overall treatment plan.

What is Uric Acid used for?

An Uric Acid test is done:

As part of regular health checkups.
To diagnose or monitor gout, a type of arthritis that is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. High uric acid levels in the blood can indicate a possibility of gout.
To assess the risk of kidney stones or to determine the cause of recurrent kidney stones.
To diagnose and monitor certain metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
To monitor uric acid levels in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
To check the efficacy of medications that lower uric acid levels.

What does Uric Acid measure?

An Uric Acid test determines the level of uric acid in your body. Uric acid is a nitrogenous compound produced by the metabolic breakdown of purine. Purines are present as nitrogenous bases in the DNA and are also found in food like red meat and seafood.

Most uric acid dissolves in the blood and goes into your kidneys. From there, it passes through your body via the urine. Decreased elimination of uric acid is often a result of impaired kidney function due to kidney disease. In many cases, the exact cause of excess uric acid is unknown. Doctors seldom need to test for low levels of uric acid.

Interpreting Uric Acid results

Interpretations

Normal uric acid range:

· Adult Female: 2.4 to 6.0 mg/dL

· Adult Male: 3.4 to 7.0 mg/dL

· Children: 2.0 to 5.5 mg/dL

Higher than normal levels of uric acid in the blood is called Hyperuricemia and may be caused due to kidney diseases, gout, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy treatment.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Uric Acid

Frequently Asked Questions about Uric Acid

Q. What is an Uric Acid test used for?

An Uric Acid test is used to detect gout and kidney stones by determining the levels of uric acid in your body.

Q. When can an Uric Acid test be performed?

Your doctor may advise an Uric Acid test when you experience symptoms like joint pain, redness, swelling, and shiny discoloration of the skin around the joints; severe lower back pain; nausea; and vomiting. This test is also used during radiotherapy and chemotherapy to measure uric acid levels.

Q. Is there any risk associated with an Uric Acid test?

There is no risk associated with an Uric Acid test. However, you may feel slight pain at the site of needle pricking, which is usually self-limiting. Some people may also experience swelling or bruising at the injection site. Applying ice over the area 3-4 times for about a week may provide relief. If it does not get better, consult your doctor.

Q. What do the results of an Uric Acid test mean?

If your Uric Acid test results show higher levels, it might indicate conditions like gout, kidney stones, liver cirrhosis, obesity, malnutrition, hypothyroidism, and anemia. Whereas, if the test shows lower levels, it may indicate liver disease, Wilson's disease, or a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).

Q. What factors can affect the results of an Uric Acid test?

Medications like aspirin and niacin (vitamin B3) can affect your serum uric acid levels; therefore, inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you take before this test.

Q. What is gout and its symptoms?

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden and severe joint pain. It usually affects only one or two joints simultaneously, typically in the feet and ankles. The common symptoms of gout are intense joint pain, redness, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in joints.

Q. What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

The symptoms of kidney stones include severe pain on either side of the lower back, stomachache, blood in urine, nausea and vomiting, fever, and chills.

Q. What is hyperuricemia?

Hyperuricemia refers to a condition where the blood uric acid level is above the normal range. This condition may be caused due to an overproduction of uric acid or its improper elimination from blood.

Q. What are the symptoms of hyperuricemia?

Symptoms of hyperuricemia include inflammation, swelling, stiffness, pain in joints, pain in the lower back, abdomen, or sides, difficulty and pain during urination, blood in urine, etc.

Q. What are the risk factors for hyperuricemia?

Risk factors for hyperuricemia include kidney diseases, hypothyroidism or reduced secretion of hormones of the thyroid gland, hypertension or high blood pressure, hyperglycemia or high blood sugar, vigorous exercise of being extremely active physically, chronic exposure to lead metal, pesticide poisoning, obesity, alcoholism, and use of certain medications.

Q. What is the difference between gout and pseudogout?

Gout or gouty arthritis is a medical condition that causes painful swelling and inflammation of the joints, most commonly of the joints, toes, and lower limbs. It is caused by excess uric acid in the blood, leading to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals (uric acid crystals) in the synovial fluid of the joints. Pseudogout is a condition that shows symptoms similar to gout, namely painful inflammation and swelling at the joints. Pseudogout most commonly affects the knee joints but may also affect the ankles, elbows, and wrists. It is caused due to the formation and deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joints. Deposition of these crystals can occur due to hypercalcemia, hypothyroidism, magnesium deficiency, high iron concentration in blood, and aging.

Q. Is fasting required for an Uric Acid test?

No, fasting is not required for this test. You can eat and drink as per your daily routine.

Q. What are some of the ways to reduce uric acid levels naturally?

To manage uric acid levels, make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day, limit or avoid alcohol, especially beer, which has been associated with higher uric acid levels, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and follow a balanced diet, limit purine-rich foods such as organ meats (liver, kidney), red meat, seafood (anchovies, sardines, mussels), and some vegetables (spinach, cauliflower, asparagus), include low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese in your diet, incorporate plant-based protein sources like legumes, tofu, tempeh, and quinoa into your diet, and incorporate fresh cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and other antioxidant-rich fruits into your diet. However, consult your doctor if you have consistently high uric acid levels or gout.

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References

Uric Acid (Blood) - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center. www.urmc.rochester.edu. [Accessed 14 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=uric_acid_blood

El Ridi R, Tallima H. Physiological functions and pathogenic potential of uric acid: A review. J Adv Res. 2017;8(5):487-493. [Accessed 14 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5512149/

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