Uric acid

Uric Acid Test

The Uric Acid test measures the level of uric acid in your blood or urine. Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines, substances found in certain foods and in your cells.

🧬 Why Uric Acid Levels Matter

• Helps diagnose gout, a type of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals in joints

• Evaluates kidney function (high uric acid may indicate poor excretion)

• Monitors risk of kidney stones

• Checks metabolic disorders

🧪 Test Types

1. Serum Uric Acid – measures uric acid in the blood

2. 24-hour Urine Uric Acid – measures how much uric acid is excreted in urine

📊 Normal Blood Uric Acid Levels (Adults)

(Ranges may vary slightly depending on the lab.)

🔻 Low Uric Acid (Hypouricemia)

Causes may include:

• Certain medications

• Kidney disease

• Low purine diet

• Liver disease

Symptoms are rare, but may include weakness or fatigue.

🔺 High Uric Acid (Hyperuricemia)

Causes may include:

• Gout or joint inflammation

• High purine diet (meat, seafood, alcohol)

• Obesity

• Kidney disease or reduced kidney function

• Certain medications (diuretics, chemotherapy)

Symptoms:

• Sudden joint pain (often big toe)

• Swelling and redness

• Tophi (hard uric acid deposits under skin in chronic cases)

• Kidney stones

💡 Important Notes

• Fasting may be required for accurate serum uric acid measurement.

• Treatment depends on cause: lifestyle changes, diet modification, medications to reduce uric acid.