Uric acid: what it is, exam and why it is low or elevated

Uric acid is a substance produced by the body that can accumulate in the joints or kidneys when in excess in the blood, causing symptoms such as pain in the abdomen or joints, bloody urine or redness and swelling in the joints.

Changes in uric acid levels can be caused by kidney problems, excessive protein consumption, malnutrition, medication use or liver malfunction, for example.

If you suspect a change in uric acid levels, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner. Treatment to control uric acid in the blood depends on the cause of the changes, and may involve the use of medications to lower uric acid in some cases.

What is the exam for?

The uric acid test is indicated for:

• Assist in evaluating kidney function;
• Complement the assessment of the body’s hydration status;
• Monitor gout treatment;
• Identify health conditions, such as rhabdomyolysis and tumor lysis syndrome;
• Monitor treatment with some medications, such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide.

This test is mainly indicated when you want to know if uric acid is high. Additionally, although high uric acid does not cause symptoms in most people, it is associated with the development of complications such as gout and kidney stones.

Read too: Gout: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment

Reference values

The normal value of uric acid in the blood varies from 3.7 to 8.0 mg/dL in men after the age of 16, and from 2.7 to 6.1 mg/dL in women after the age of 13.

In addition to varying according to age and sex, uric acid reference values ​​also vary slightly according to the laboratory in which the test was carried out. Therefore, to find out whether uric acid is high or low, the ideal is to consult a doctor.

Symptoms of high uric acid are more common in cases of gout or kidney stones and include attacks of pain in the abdomen or joints, redness and swelling in the joints, nausea, vomiting or bloody urine, for example

Read too: Top 10 Symptoms of High Uric Acid

What causes high uric acid

High uric acid can be caused by:

• Excessive consumption of foods such as meat, fish or shellfish, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks;
• Dehydration;
• Intense physical exercises;
• Use of some medications, such as hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide;
• Kidney malfunction;
• Chemotherapy;
• Tumors;
• Metabolism defects, which can result in abnormal production of uric acid.

Furthermore, high uric acid is more common in people with obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, hypothyroidism and kidney problems, for example. See more about high uric acid.

What causes low uric acid

Low uric acid can be caused by

• Low protein consumption;
• Use of medications, such as corticosteroids, allopurinol and high doses of aspirin;
• Changes in the functioning of the liver;
• Malnutrition;
• Some kidney problems, such as Fanconi syndrome.

Although low uric acid can indicate health problems in some people, it is not typically associated with the development of symptoms, as is high uric acid.

Treatment for high uric acid

Treatment for high uric acid depends on its cause and, especially in the case of gout or kidney stones, is done with medicines such as allopurinol and probenecid, which act by reducing its production or stimulating its elimination in the urine, for example . Discover the main remedies for high uric acid.

However, to lower uric acid, your doctor may also recommend reducing your consumption of foods such as meat or fish and alcoholic beverages, which are rich in substances known as purines. Check out the main foods that increase uric acid.

In addition, you should also avoid excessive consumption of fructose, a type of sugar that is present in fruits and is used in products such as soft drinks and cookies, which can also increase uric acid. See what the diet should be like for those with high uric acid.

Read too: How to lower uric acid: remedies, natural options and nutrition

Home remedies for uric acid

A home remedy option for high uric acid that may be recommended to complement medical treatment is beetroot and carrot juice, which has properties that help eliminate it. Find out other home remedies to lower uric acid.