Uric acid
Bladder and kidney healthAlso known as: urate, serum urate, Uricämie
A waste product from the breakdown of purines (found in certain foods and normal cell turnover).
Elevated levels can lead to gout (painful joint inflammation) and kidney stones. Persistently high levels may indicate metabolic disorders or reduced kidney clearance.
Reference range
Gout, Female
Source: lab benchmark
Male, Gout
Source: lab benchmark
Reference ranges may vary between labs and assays. Always interpret results with your healthcare provider. · LOINC code: 3084-1
Why this matters
Elevated uric acid can lead to crystal deposits in joints, causing gout with sudden painful swelling. Persistently high levels also increase kidney stone risk. Low levels are uncommon but may indicate certain metabolic or kidney conditions.
How this connects to other biomarkers
- High Uric acid with painful joint inflammation suggests gout (uric acid crystals depositing in joints); persistent high levels are also linked to cardiovascular and metabolic risk (correlate with HOMA-Index, Triglycerides, Atherogenic index of plasma).
- Elevated Uric acid in chronic kidney disease (low estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)) reflects reduced clearance and contributes to gout incidence.
- Low Uric acid with normal kidney function is usually benign and may reflect SIADH (excess antidiuretic hormone) or Fanconi syndrome (a kidney-tubule disorder).
How often should I test Uric acid?
Most adults benefit from one uric acid screening test per year. If you've had gout, kidney stones, or are managing metabolic syndrome, retest every three to six months. After starting urate-lowering therapy, retest at 4 to 6 weeks.
At baseline / for screening: Once every 12 months from age 30 as part of a metabolic panel. More frequently, every 3 to 6 months, if you've had gout, kidney stones, or are managing metabolic syndrome.
When monitoring an intervention or change: Retest 8 to 12 weeks after a sustained lifestyle change, such as reducing alcohol (especially beer), fructose, and purine-rich foods, alongside meaningful weight loss. Retest 4 to 6 weeks after starting urate-lowering therapy (allopurinol, febuxostat). Acute gout flares can show paradoxically normal levels, so retest once the flare has settled.
Note: Acute gout flares can show paradoxically normal uric acid. Retest 4 to 6 weeks after the flare resolves for a true baseline. Recent alcohol, high-purine meals, or rapid weight loss also shift values, so allow 48 to 72 hours after these for reliable readings.
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