Uric Acid Test

What is the uric acid test?

uric acid test means the amount of uric acid in the blood or urine. Uric acid is a normal waste product that is made when chemicals break down in the body called purines. Purines are substances that are found in our own cells and also in some foods. These foods with a high amount of purine include liver, anchovies, sardines, dried beans, and beer.​

Usually, most uric acid dissolves in the blood and goes into the kidneys. From there, this leaves the body through your urine. If your body produces too much uric acid or does not release enough into the urine, it may produce crystals that form in the joints. This condition is known as gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes more painful inflammation in and around the joints. Uric acid production can also cause other disorders, including kidney stones and kidney failure.

What are the other names for the uric acid test?

The other names of uric acid blood test are the UA test and Serum urate test.

What are the test parameters included in the uric acid test?

There is only one parameter included in the uric acid blood test.

Why is a uric acid test done?

In common cases, the uric acid test is done to:

1. Properly diagnose, screen, and monitor people that have a condition called gout (it is a swelling of the joints)
2. Monitor the patients who are currently undergoing radiation treatment or chemotherapy 
3. Check the functioning of the kidney after a person has had an accident or injury 
4. Detect the cause of kidney stones in a patient 
5. Diagnose different kidney disorders 

A person can be prescribed a uric acid test if the doctor sees these reasons: 

1. Joint pain or unusual swelling in the foot which can be related to gout 
2. You have frequent cases of kidney stones 
3. You are currently undergoing or about to start chemotherapy 
4. You have a past medical history of gout 

What does the uric acid test measure?

The uric acid test analyses the levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a nitrogenous compound that is produced by the metabolic breakdown of purine. Purines are the nitrogenous bases in DNA that form part of the structural framework of the cells. The breakdown of purines occurs when cells become old and die, forming uric acid. Uric acid is also formed from the metabolic breakdown of some types of food, like red meat, seafood, and beans.

Most of the uric acid in the blood is filtered and eliminated by the kidneys, with a small remaining amount in the stool. The concentration of uric acid in the blood may be increased due to overproduction of uric acid or improper elimination of uric acid, and this condition is called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia may also be caused due to cancer treatment by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These treatment methods kill the cancer cells, which may leak uric acid into the bloodstream. 

These excess uric acids may form crystals in the synovial fluid between the joints, causing inflammation and pain. This condition is called gout and may severely damage the joints if left untreated. The uric acid test may indicate the presence of gout or the risk of the formation of gout. However, this is not a definitive test for gout. A confirmatory test for gout is performed by analysis of the synovial fluid joint fluid for monosodium urate crystals. Chronic hyperuricemia may cause the formation of tophi, which are hard and lumpy deposits of uric acid crystals that are formed under the skin, in the joints, and at the top of the ears. Tophi causes severe damage to the joints and can compress nerves, causing chronic pain and disfigurement. The excess uric acid might also be deposited and crystalized in the kidneys, causing kidney stones and acute renal failure.  

What condition / disease does uric acid blood test detect?

The uric acid Test is a blood test that can help in detecting different health conditions in a patient. Hyperuricemia is one of the common disorders that can occur when a person has an overwhelming amount of uric acid in their body. One major cause of hyperuricemia is an increased number of cell deaths which can be due to radiation therapy during cancer treatment. This condition can be detected using the uric acid Test. Apart from that, the test also helps in detecting a condition called gout in the patient. Having a low amount of uric acid in the body can also be an indication of Fanconi syndrome which is a disorder that takes place in the kidney tubules. 

Who should get a uric acid test? 

A uric acid blood test is recommended when a healthcare practitioner suspects you have a high uric acid level. Some people with high levels of uric acid have gout disease, which is a common form of arthritis. People with gout suffer from joint pain, most often in their toes, but in other joints as well. This test is also ordered when cancer patients are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy to ensure that uric acid levels do not get dangerously high. 

A urine uric acid test can be ordered when a person is suffering from recurrent kidney stones or has gout and needs to be monitored for the formation of these stones.

What is the type of sample required for uric acid test?

Since it is a blood test, the patient will have to get a blood sample drawn for the uric acid test. However, sometimes a urine analysis can also help in detecting uric acid levels in the body.

What other tests might I have along with uric acid test?

Kidney function test and Urine uric acid.

What should I expect during my uric acid test?

You can expect the experience the following during the uric acid blood test or a blood draw:

1. You have to sit comfortably on the chair, and a healthcare provider will check your arms for an easily accessible vein. It is in the inner part of your arm on the other side of the elbow.
2. Once the phlebotomist has located a vein, they will disinfect the area with an alcohol swab.
3. They will insert a needle into your vein to draw a blood sample. They may feel like a small pinch.
4. After they insert the needle, the required amount of blood is drawn into a test tube.
5. When they have drawn enough blood for the test, they’ll remove the needle and hold a cotton ball or gauze on the pricked site to stop any bleeding.
6. They will apply a band-aid over the pricked site, and the blood collection is finished.

This process takes less than five minutes. 

What should I expect after my uric acid test?

Once the phlebotomist has collected the blood sample, it will be sent to the laboratory for processing or testing. When the reports are ready, your healthcare provider will share the results with you.

Is there any preparation needed for the uric acid test?

No special preparation is required, and fasting is not required for this test.

What is the risk of the uric acid test?

These blood tests are very common, and they don’t carry any significant risks. You can have a slight pain like an ant bite when the needle gets inserted, and a small bruise might develop there.

Limitations of the uric acid test:

Some of the common factors that can affect the results of the uric acid test are bone marrow diseases, diet, etc. For instance, if you consume foods that are rich in purines such as liver, anchovies, dried beans, wine, beer, etc. it might impact the results of the uric acid test and show a higher level of uric acid in the body. 

When can I expect my uric acid test results?

This report is available via email or WhatsApp within 6 hours of the collection of the blood sample.

Uric acid test normal range: 

Following are the value ranges for the uric acid normal level of an average adult. 

Mentioned below is the normal blood uric acid level. Any value above or below the normal range can be an indicator of different problems and must be discussed with the physician. 

1. For males, the normal range of uric acid is 2.5 - 7.0 mg/dl, whereas the low levels are below 2.5 mg/dl and high levels are above 7.0 mg/dl.
2. For females, the normal range of uric acid is 1.5 - 6.0 mg/dl, whereas the low levels are below 1.5 mg/dl and high levels are above 6.0 mg/dl.

What do the results of the uric acid test mean?

Higher than the normal uric acid levels in the blood is called hyperuricemia and may be caused by producing too much uric acid in the body or the inability of the kidneys to adequately remove enough uric acid from the body. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the cause of overproduction or decreased elimination of uric acid from the body.

There are several genetic inborn errors that affect the breakdown of purines. Alternatively, cancer that has spread from its original location (metastatic), multiple myeloma, leukemia, and cancer chemotherapy may also cause increased production of uric acid. Usually, chronic kidney disease, acidosis, toxemia of pregnancy, and alcoholism may cause the decreased elimination of uric acid.

The higher concentrations of uric acid can cause crystals to form in the joints, which can lead to joint inflammation and pain characteristic of gout. It might also form crystals or kidney stones that can damage the kidneys.

Low levels of uric acid in the blood are seen less commonly than high levels and are seldom considered a cause for concern. Although low levels can be associated with some kinds of liver or kidney disease like Fanconi syndrome, exposure to toxic compounds, and rarely as the result of an inherited metabolic defect, e.g., Wilson disease, these conditions are typically identified by other tests and symptoms and not by an isolated low uric acid level. 

In a urine sample,

High levels of uric acid in the urine are seen with gout, multiple myeloma, metastatic cancer, leukemia, and a diet high in purines. Those who are at risk of kidney stones and have high uric acid levels in their urine can be given medication to prevent stone formation.

Low urine uric acid levels can be seen with kidney disease, chronic alcohol use, and lead poisoning. 

What is the price of a uric acid test?

Who will perform the uric acid test?

A healthcare provider, who is also called a phlebotomist, usually performs blood draws, including those for uric acid tests, but any healthcare provider trained in drawing blood can perform this task. These samples are sent to a lab where a medical laboratory scientist prepares the samples and performs the tests on analyzers or manually.

Why choose Orange Health?

Orange Health is a reputed diagnostic center providing the best access to healthcare and testing services at home. You can now book an appointment from our websites and we will help you get your blood and urine samples tested. Contact us today to get your tests done and collect your reports now.

How do I book a uric acid test at home?

Submit your details and book a uric acid test with Orange Health. Our highly trained, professional, and vaccinated eMedics will be at your doorstep within 60 minutes or at the time booked by you.

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