Uric acid - blood - Overview

Definition of Uric acid - blood :

Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines. Purines are found in some foods and drinks, such as liver, anchovies, mackerel, dried beans and peas, beer, and wine.

Most uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys, where it passes out in urine. If your body produces too much uric acid or doesn't remove enough if it, you can get sick. High levels of uric acid in the body is called hyperuricemia.

This test checks to see how much uric acid you have in your blood.

How the test is performed:

A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture

How to prepare for the test:

You should not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the test unless told otherwise. Your doctor may also tell you to stop taking any drugs that may affect the test results. Never stop taking any medicine without talking to your doctor.

Drugs that can increase the level of uric acid in your body include:

Alcohol
Ascorbic acid
Aspirin
Caffeine
Cisplatin
Diazoxide
Diuretics
Epinephrine
Ethambutol
Levodopa
Methyldopa
Nicotinic acid
Phenothiazines
Theophylline

Drugs that can decrease the level of uric acid in your body include:

Allopurinol
Azathioprine
Clofibrate
Corticosteroids
Estrogen
Febuxostat
Glucose
Guaifenesin
Mannitol
Probenecid
Warfarin

Why the test is performed:

This test is done to see if you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. High levels of uric acid can cause gout or kidney disease.

Your doctor may also order this test if you have had or are about to have certain types of chemotherapy. Rapid weight loss, which may occur with such treatments, can increase the amount of uric acid in your blood.

Blood test

Uric acid crystals

Reviewed last on: 5/30/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Curhan GC, Mitch WE. Diet and kidney disease. In: Brenner BM, eds. Brenner and Rector’s The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 53.

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