Contributed by – Healthians Team
What is the Uric Acid Serum test?
A uric acid serum test is a simple blood test used to determine the levels of uric acid present in the blood. It helps the doctor determine how your body is producing and removing uric acid from your body.
Basically, uric acid is a waste produced when your body breaks down purines. Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds found in the cells of the body. As these cells get old and die, they release purines into the blood. Purines also come from certain food items such as liver, anchovies, dried beans, peas, and alcoholic drinks. Most of the uric acid produced gets dissolved in the blood, filtered through the urine, and eliminated from the body in the urine and stool.
However, if there’s too much uric acid in the body and that is not being eliminated, it will start to get accumulated inside your body (a condition called hyperuricemia). It can lead to conditions like gout and kidney stones which can cause severe pain.
Who should get tested?
Usually, a doctor asks for the uric acid test when –
- symptoms of gout, such as swollen and painful joints are present
- you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment
- you have recurrent kidney stones
Why is the Uric Acid Serum test needed?
Having some amount of uric acid in the blood is normal. But the problem starts when this level exceeds the normal. It can cause uric acid crystals to form inside your joints leading to gout. In most cases, the big toe is the most affected joint but it can attack your ankles, feet, hands, knees, and wrists as well. Hyperuricemia may also increase the risk of the development of kidney diseases.
People undergoing cancer treatment often need a uric acid test because chemotherapy causes the death of many cells in your body. This can increase the levels of uric acid in your blood. The regular uric acid test helps the doctor to keep an eye on its level and prevent the problems that it can cause.
What does Uric Acid Serum test results mean?
Usually, normal levels of uric acid in women are 1.5 to 6.0 mg/dL and 2.5 to 7.0 mg/dL in men. However, each lab has its own reference range. Therefore, the test results of different laboratories may vary.
If your test results show that you have higher than normal uric acid levels in the blood then it means that your body is producing too much of it or is not able to get rid of it. The following condition could be a possible cause –
- Diabetes
- Undergoing chemotherapy
- Bone marrow disorders
- Purines rich diet
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Kidney disorders
- Metastasized cancer
- Multiple myeloma
And, these are the conditions that are responsible for having lower than normal levels of uric acid in the blood –
- Wilson’s disease
- Fanconi syndrome
- Alcoholism
- Liver or kidney disease
- A diet low in purines
Since certain medications and other health conditions can impact your test results, make sure that you get your reports checked by a doctor because he/she will be better equipped to understand what your results mean for you.
How is the test done?
The uric acid test is done by drawing a small amount of blood from a vein in the arm. The process is quick and simple and is always done by a professional. You are not required to fast before the test but make sure that you inform your doctor about any existing medical conditions and medications you take before the test as they can influence your test results.
