Uric acid - blood

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu · 2011-09-26T02:08:20+00:00

Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines. Purines are found in some foods and drinks, such as liver, anchovies, mackerel, dried beans and peas, beer, and wine. Most uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys, where it passes out in urine. If your body produces too much uric acid or doesn't remove enough if it, you can get sick. High levels of uric acid in the body is called hyperuricemia. This test checks to see how much uric acid you have in your blood. How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture How to Prepare for the Test You should not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the test unless told otherwise. Your doctor may also tell you to stop taking any drugs that may affect the test results. Never stop taking any medicine without talking to your doctor. Drugs that can increase the level of uric acid in your body include: Alcohol Ascorbic acid Aspirin Caffeine Cisplatin Diazoxide Diuretics Epinephrine Ethambutol Levodopa Methyldopa Nicotinic acid Phenothiazines Theophylline Drugs that can decrease the level of uric acid in your body include: Allopurinol Azathioprine Clofibrate Corticosteroids Estrogen Febuxostat Glucose Guaifenesin Mannitol Probenecid Warfarin Why the Test is Performed This test is done to see if you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. High levels of uric acid can cause goutor kidney disease. Your doctor may also order this test if you have had or are about to have certain types of chemotherapy. Rapid weight loss, which may occur with such treatments, can increase the amount of uric acid in your blood. Normal Results Normal values range between 3.5 and 7.2 mg/dL. Note: Normal values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. What Abnormal Results Mean Greater-than-normal levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) may be due to: Acidosis Alcoholism Diabetes Gout Hypoparathyroidism Lead poisoning Leukemia Nephrolithiasis Polycythemia vera Renal failure Toxemia of pregnancy Purine-rich diet Excessive exercise Chemotherapy-related side effects Lower-than-normal levels of uric acid may be due to: Fanconi syndrome Wilson's disease Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion Low purine diet Additional conditions under which the test may be performed: Chronic gouty arthritis Injury of the kidney and ureter References Curhan GC, Mitch WE. Diet and kidney disease. In: Brenner BM, eds. Brenner and Rectors The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 53. Update Date: 5/30/2011 Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Source: Uric acid - blood : MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Thread starter Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu
Start date Sep 26, 2011

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu

JF-Expert Member

Sep 26, 2011

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu

JF-Expert Member

Sep 26, 2011

Thread starter
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Nzowa Godat

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Uric acid - blood

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu

JF-Expert Member

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu

JF-Expert Member

Nzowa Godat

JF-Expert Member

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