What is uric acid?
Uric acid is a normal waste product produced when your body breaks down the purines from foods, drinks and dead cells. Uric acid is transported to the kidneys and excreted in your urine. If you have too much uric acid in your body, it can lead to a painful health condition known as gout.
Why test uric acid?
If you have gout symptoms, or want to do an annual health test, or monitor your uric acid levels.
What do the results mean?
What causes low uric acid levels?
Some health conditions may cause low uric acid levels. These include alcoholism and kidney disease.
What causes high uric acid levels?
The following can cause high uric acid levels: your body makes too much uric acid, your kidneys remove less uric acid than expected, or you consume many purine-rich foods. Foods high in purines include red meat, organ meats, some seafood (e.g. sardines, tuna, anchovies, trout), alcohol, and high fructose corn syrup.
What are the symptoms of high uric acid levels?
High uric acid levels can cause gout symptoms like pain, swelling, or redness in the toes, ankles or knees.
Instructions
On the day of the test
Remember to take I.D. with you when going to take a test. Sit down for 15 minutes and rest before taking a test.