Description of the Analysis: 

Uric acid is a waste product created when the body breaks down purines. Purines are natural substances found in your own cells and in many foods, such as red meat, organ meats, and certain types of seafood. Most uric acid dissolves in the blood, travels to the kidneys, and leaves the body through urine. If the body produces too much uric acid or the kidneys do not remove enough of it, levels in the blood rise, leading to the formation of sharp, needle-like crystals in the joints or kidneys.

What Does the Analysis Represent?

• Goal: To measure the concentration of uric acid in the blood to assess the risk of gout or kidney stones.
• Main Application: Diagnosing and monitoring gout, identifying the cause of recurrent kidney stones, and monitoring patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation (which causes rapid cell breakdown).
• Biological Process: It reflects the balance between the dietary intake of purines, internal cell turnover, and the efficiency of renal excretion.

Recommendations for the Test (General)

• Fasting: Mandatory. You should fast for 8–12 hours before the test.
• Diet: Avoid high-purine foods (red meat, sardines, mushrooms, asparagus) and alcohol (especially beer) for 24 hours prior to the blood draw.
• Hydration: Ensure adequate water intake, as dehydration can cause a false elevation in uric acid concentration.
• Material: Venous blood (serum).

What Can Affect the Results?

• Diet: A diet rich in “rich foods” and fructose-sweetened beverages significantly raises levels.
• Alcohol: Alcohol interferes with the kidneys’ ability to excrete uric acid.
• Medications: Low-dose aspirin, diuretics (“water pills”), and certain immunosuppressants can increase uric acid. Vitamin C and some blood pressure medications may lower it.
• Rapid Weight Loss: Extreme dieting or fasting can lead to a temporary spike in uric acid as the body breaks down its own tissues.

When to Take the Test?

• Joint Pain: Sudden, severe pain, swelling, and redness in a joint (most commonly the big toe, ankle, or knee).
• Kidney Stone Symptoms: Sharp pain in the side or back, blood in the urine, or frequent urination.
• Oncology Monitoring: Before and during cancer treatments to prevent “Tumor Lysis Syndrome.”
• Metabolic Screening: As part of an assessment for metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood pressure and obesity.

How to Interpret the Results?

Important: Uric acid levels must be evaluated by a physician to diagnose conditions like gout or monitor kidney health. High Uric Acid: Can lead to the formation of crystals in the joints (gout) or kidneys (stones); often associated with diets rich in purines or alcohol. Low Uric Acid: Less common and usually not clinically significant, but can be seen with certain medications or rare genetic conditions. Interpretation: If levels are elevated, a doctor will consider your symptoms and may recommend dietary changes to prevent joint inflammation.

Possible Further Investigations

• Joint Fluid Analysis: Taking a sample of fluid from a swollen joint to look for actual uric acid crystals under a microscope (the gold standard for gout diagnosis).
• 24-Hour Urine Uric Acid: To determine if the body is overproducing uric acid or if the kidneys are failing to excrete it.
• Kidney Ultrasound/CT Scan: To look for uric acid stones that are not always visible on standard X-rays.
• Creatinine and BUN: To check overall kidney function.

When Does the Next Step Make Sense? 

The next step is necessary if you experience “flares” of joint pain or if you have a history of kidney stones. High uric acid levels can be managed effectively through diet and medication, but left untreated, they can lead to permanent joint damage and chronic kidney disease.

👉 If necessary, you can discuss the results of the analysis with a specialist, such as a Rheumatologist (Doctors – TAMC), Nephrologist (Doctors – TAMC).