Uric Acid
Understanding Uric Acid
What is Uric Acid?
A Uric Acid test measures the levels of uric acid, a nitrogenous waste product, in the body. This test helps detect conditions like gout or kidney stones. It can also be used to monitor uric acid levels in people undergoing cancer treatments, like chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Uric acid is a normal body waste product. It is naturally produced by the body during the breakdown of purines that are found in many foods, such as liver, shellfish, and alcohol. Purines are also found in our body’s genetic material. While a certain level of uric acid is normal and necessary for healthy bodily functions, a high uric acid concentration in the blood, also known as hyperuricemia, can lead to crystal formation in the joints. It is also a risk factor for chronic kidney disease.
A Uric Acid test may be performed if you experience symptoms of gout (such as joint pain and redness, swelling, and shiny discoloration of the skin around the joints) or kidney stones (such as severe lower back pain, nausea, and vomiting). This test may also be used to monitor uric acid levels during chemotherapy or radiotherapy as these treatments can kill a lot of cells, leading to an increase in uric acid. 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 different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. The results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your condition, and formulate an overall treatment plan.
What is Uric Acid used for?
A 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 levels of uric acid 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?
A 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.