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Interpreting Results
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Written by
Dr. Shreya Gupta
BDS, MDS - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
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Dr. Ashish Ranjan
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
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Uric Acid

Also known as Urate
You need to provide
Blood
This test is for
Male, Female

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.

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


Frequently Asked Questions about Uric Acid

Q. What is a uric acid test used for?

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

Q. Is there any risk associated with a uric acid test?

There is no risk associated with a uric acid test. However, you may feel slight pain at the site of needle pricking, which is usually self-limiting. Rarely, 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 uric acid test results 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 indicates liver disease, Wilson's disease, or a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).

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 at the same time, 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 improper elimination of it from blood.

Q. What are the symptoms of hyperuricemia?

Symptoms of hyperuricemia include: · Gout which causes inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and pain at the joints · Kidney stones which cause pain in the lower back, abdomen, or sides, difficulty and pain during urination, blood in urine, etc. · Urinary tract infections · Renal failure

Q. What are the risk factors for hyperuricemia?

Risk factors for hyperuricemia include kidney diseases, hypothyroidism or reduced secretion of hormones of 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 which causes painful swelling and inflammation of the joints, most commonly of the joints of toes and lower limbs. It is caused due to excess uric acid in blood, leading to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals (uric acid crystals) in the synovial fluid of the joints. Pseudogout is a condition which 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 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.
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Uric Acid test price for other cities


Price inAhmedabadRs. 200
Price inAllahabadRs. 200
Price inAmritsarRs. 200
Price inBangaloreRs. 130
Price inBhopalRs. 130
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