Uric Acid Test, Serum

Your doctor might advise this test for the following conditions -

• Identify and assess Gout, a metabolic disorder of purine metabolism, Lesch-Nyhan & Fanconi Syndrome.
• Watch patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
• Evaluate kidney function following an accident.
• Discover the origin of kidney stones.
• Identify renal conditions.

This test determines the amount of uric acid in the blood of a person.

The procedure for taking a blood sample for testing is known as venipuncture. Here are the steps:

1. Your doctor will draw blood from a vein, most often from your inner elbow or the back of your hand.
2. They begin by using an antiseptic to sterilize the area. They will then wrap an elastic band around your arm to allow blood to flow through the veins. Then they will insert a needle into your vein and draw blood. 
3. Once the blood has been obtained, the healthcare provider will undo the plastic band and withdraw the syringe.
4. Finally, they will apply pressure to the site of the puncture, and if required, bandage it.
5. Once collected, the blood is delivered to a laboratory for testing.

Hyperuricemia is a condition where blood uric acid levels are greater than 6 mg per deciliter in women and greater than 7 mg per deciliter in men.

If your blood test results indicate high uric acid levels, it could mean either of the following. 

• Your body is producing too much uric acid. 
• Your kidneys aren't eliminating enough uric acid from your body. 

Several factors can cause high uric acid levels in the blood.

• Diabetes.
• Chemotherapy.
• Kidney stones.
• Kidney disorder.
• High purine diet.
• Hypoparathyroidism.

Uric acid levels can vary based on gender. The normal value is 1.5 to 6.0 mg per deciliter for men and 2.5 to 7 mg per deciliter for women. The greater the number, the more basic your blood is. The smaller the number, the more acidic your blood is. However, the values may vary depending on the lab performing the tests.

Low uric acid levels are less prevalent than high levels and pose less of a health risk. Lower-than-normal uric acid levels could be caused by any of the following:

• Fanconi syndrome
• HIV infection
• Liver Disease
• Low purine diet

If uric acid levels are found to be more than the normal ranges, the person has hyperuricemia. It is also common to have high uric acid levels without experiencing gout symptoms. This is referred to as asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Similarly, uric acid levels that are lower than the healthy ranges indicate the person has hypouricemia.

Numerous renal and metabolic problems, such as renal failure, gout, leukaemia, psoriasis, hunger, or other wasting diseases are linked to high uric acid levels. Individuals receiving cytotoxic medicines, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy may also have higher than normal uric acid levels.

Low uric acid levels might be a sign of liver illness, renal tubular absorption issues, and excessive gout medication

Purine, an aromatic compound that is needed for the production of nucleic acids (DNA & RNA) in the body, breaks down into uric acid as a byproduct. The kidneys discharge uric acid in amounts of around two-thirds. A metabolic issue with purine synthesis or chronic kidney illness can cause a buildup of uric acid in the body. This can deposit in your joints in the form of needle-shaped crystals and lead to gout.

Uric acid blood test is necessary if you have gout symptoms because it determines how much uric acid is present in your body. Gout symptoms are as follows:

• swollen and stiff joints
• pain in the affected joint
• redness in the affected joint
• hard lumps under the skin in the affected area
• changes in mobility of the affected joint

Based on the test results and your symptoms, your doctor may recommend further testing to diagnose the root cause. These may include tests to detect kidney stones, such as urinalysis, blood tests and imaging scans that may include X-ray, ultrasonography, or CT scan.

A uric acid test does not require any prior test preparation. However, it is recommended that you consult with your healthcare provider before taking the test, as they may have specific instructions or recommendations based on your individual medical history and current health status.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recommends that if you have gout, your target level of uric acid should be less than 6.0 mg/dL.

Gout is a condition in which the improper metabolism of uric acid results in the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints causing periods of severe pain, chalk-stone buildup, and arthritis, particularly in the joints of the feet.

• Uric Acid Test
• Serum Urate