A Uric Acid test is a diagnostic test that measures the amount of uric acid in a blood sample.

Uric acid is produced by the breakdown of purines, nitrogen-containing compounds found in substances like DNA and RNA. These purines enter the bloodstream through the digestion of certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol, or from normal cell turnover in the body. While most uric acid is filtered out by the kidneys and excreted in urine, any excess that builds up can lead to conditions like gout or kidney disease.

Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood, and the kidneys filter it out, excreting it in the urine. This test is particularly useful for assessing the risk of conditions like gout and kidney stones. High levels of uric acid in the blood can lead to the formation of needle-like crystals in and around the joints, causing the painful inflammation characteristic of gout. Excessive uric acid can also contribute to the formation of kidney stones. However, not everyone with elevated uric acid levels will develop these issues. The Uric Acid test helps doctors monitor and diagnose these conditions, aiding in appropriate treatment and management.

Orange Health Labs offers the Uric Acid test at ₹300. Also, get a home sample collection at a time that suits you. Orange Health Labs ensures reliable and affordable testing services, with samples collected by skilled eMedics at your preferred location. Please note that Serum Uric Acid test prices may vary depending on the city and the chosen laboratory. A detailed Uric Acid test cost breakdown in different cities is provided below:

Fasting Requirements

Fasting is unnecessary for a Uric Acid test so you can eat and drink as usual before your appointment.

Medications and Supplements

Inform your doctor of the medicines and supplements you take as certain medications, like aspirin, levodopa (for Parkinson’s), some diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide), and vitamin B-3 (niacin) can affect test results.

Alcohol and Lifestyle Factors

Refrain from consuming alcohol before the test, as it can affect the results.

The Uric Acid test requires a blood sample. After booking the test with Orange Health Labs, a professional eMedic will visit your location to collect the sample. The process of sample collection is as follows:

• Preparation : You will be asked to sit comfortably, and the technician will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have.

• Site Selection : The technician will choose a vein, usually in the inner elbow area, and clean the area with an antiseptic wipe.

• Needle Insertion : A needle will be inserted into the vein to draw blood, and you may feel a mild pinch or sting.

• Blood Collection : The necessary amount of blood will be collected into a vial.

• Needle Removal : Once the blood is drawn, the needle will be removed, and pressure will be applied to the insertion site with a gauze pad to stop any bleeding.

• Bandaging : A small bandage will be placed over the area to protect it.

At Orange Health Labs, the sample collection for the Uric Acid test takes just a few minutes, and the results will be available to you within 1 to 2 days.

The Uric Acid test is an important diagnostic tool for several health conditions, including gout, kidney stones, and issues related to metabolic health. The Uric Acid test can be done for:

• Diagnosing Gout : Uric acid is the main culprit behind gout, a painful form of arthritis. When uric acid builds up in the blood, it can form crystals in joints, leading to symptoms like joint pain, swelling, and redness, especially affecting the big toe. The Uric Acid test helps confirm whether high uric acid levels are causing these symptoms, allowing doctors to diagnose gout and recommend appropriate treatment.

• Detecting Kidney Stones: High uric acid levels are also linked to the formation of uric acid kidney stones. These stones can lead to severe pain, blood in the urine, and difficulty urinating. The test can monitor uric acid levels in the blood, helping identify the cause of recurrent kidney stones and guide treatment to prevent further stones from forming.

• Monitoring Metabolic Health : Elevated uric acid is often associated with metabolic syndrome, which includes conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. These conditions increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. By monitoring uric acid levels regularly, doctors can assess the impact of these metabolic issues on overall health and take steps to manage them before they cause more serious complications.

In addition, the test is helpful for people undergoing treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, where high uric acid levels can occur due to cell breakdown. Monitoring helps prevent complications related to extremely high uric acid levels.

A Uric Acid test is recommended for a wide range of health conditions. Uric Acid testing can benefit individuals:

• With joint pain or swelling, especially affecting the big toe, ankle, or knee, with symptoms like the joints feeling hot, red, or swollen.

• On chemotherapy or radiation treatments as uric acid levels may rise after these treatments.

• With a history of kidney stones, particularly uric acid stones, prevent future stones.

• With a history of high uric acid levels by assessing uric acid levels and allowing for its management.

• With conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, or insulin resistance as these conditions are linked with higher uric acid levels.

• On medications that can raise uric acid levels, like diuretics.

You may need a Uric Acid test if you have symptoms such as:

• Pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in the joints, especially affecting one joint (commonly the big toe).

• Recurrent kidney stones, with symptoms like sharp pain in the abdomen, side, or back, blood in urine, difficulty urinating, or pain when urinating.

The table below outlines the normal value of uric acid, along with the interpretation of abnormal results.

The Uric Acid test measures the level of uric acid in the blood, which helps assess kidney function and identify metabolic issues like gout and conditions linked to metabolic syndrome. High levels are associated with kidney stones, gout, or increased risk of heart disease.

The normal range for uric acid levels is typically 3.5 to 8.5 mg/dL. However, values differ slightly between men and women:

• For men (and those assigned male at birth), normal uric acid levels are generally 3.5 to 7 mg/dL.

• For women (and those assigned female at birth), normal uric acid levels are usually 2.5 to 6 mg/dL.

Values above these ranges are considered high (hyperuricaemia), while levels below 2 mg/dL are considered low (hypouricaemia).

It is important to note that uric acid levels can fluctuate throughout the day and week. Therefore, to better understand your uric acid levels, your doctor may recommend multiple Uric Acid tests over time.

Factors That Can Affect Uric Acid Test Results

Several factors can affect your Uric Acid test results:

• Diet: Eating foods high in purines, such as red meat, organ meats (like liver and kidney), certain kinds of seafood (e.g., anchovies, sardines, tuna, shellfish), and high fructose corn syrup in soda and sweets, can raise uric acid levels.

• Health Conditions: Conditions like obesity , kidney disease, cancer, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, and sarcoidosis can increase uric acid levels due to the reduced ability of the body to eliminate it or excessive production.

• Medications : Certain medications can affect uric acid levels. For example, thiazide diuretics can raise uric acid levels, while aspirin has varying effects (low doses can increase uric acid and high doses can lower it).

• Lifestyle Factors : Fasting , starvation diet, and strenuous exercise can elevate uric acid levels. Alcohol, particularly beer and wine, slows the removal of uric acid from the body, which can contribute to higher levels, especially in people with gout or uric acid kidney stones.

• Asymptomatic Hyperuricaemia : Some people may have high uric acid levels without symptoms (asymptomatic hyperuricaemia), but general screening or treatment is not recommended unless symptoms occur.

Abnormal Uric Acid test results may indicate underlying health problems that require additional evaluation and treatment.

The Uric Acid test is an important tool for diagnosing and managing conditions related to high uric acid levels. Its benefits include:

• Early detection of gout and kidney stones : The test helps identify elevated uric acid levels, which can lead to conditions like gout and uric acid kidney stones, allowing for early intervention and treatment.

• Monitoring treatment efficacy : For individuals with gout, kidney stones, or those on medications like uric acid-lowering drugs, the test helps assess treatment efficacy and ensure uric acid levels are being properly managed.

The Uric Acid test can help in the diagnosis of several common diseases based on its level in the blood:

• High uric acid levels : Conditions like gout , kidney stones, and metabolic syndrome are often associated with elevated uric acid levels.

• Low uric acid levels : Low levels are less common than high uric acid levels and are usually not a cause for concern. While they can be linked to liver or kidney diseases, Fanconi syndrome, exposure to toxins, or rarely, inherited metabolic disorders like Wilson’s disease, these conditions are typically diagnosed through other tests and symptoms, rather than by a single low uric acid result.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of abnormal uric acid levels in the body:

• High purine diet : Consuming foods like red meat, organ meats, certain seafood, and foods with high fructose corn syrup can raise uric acid levels.

• Alcohol consumption : Drinking alcohol, particularly beer and wine, can slow uric acid excretion and contribute to elevated levels.

• Obesity : Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing high uric acid levels due to metabolic factors and reduced kidney function.

• Certain medications : Drugs like thiazide diuretics, aspirin (at low doses), and immunosuppressants can increase uric acid levels.

Untreated abnormal uric acid levels can lead to serious health complications over time, which include:

• Chronic gout : Untreated high uric acid levels can lead to repeated gout flare-ups, causing long-term joint damage and disability.

• Kidney damage : Elevated uric acid can form crystals in the kidneys, leading to kidney stones and potential kidney function decline.

• Cardiovascular conditions : High uric acid levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

• Increased risk of diabetes : High uric acid levels may contribute to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves making choices that support your overall well-being. Here are a few essential steps to help you achieve that:

• Diet management : Adopting a healthier Mediterranean or DASH diet while avoiding high-purine foods like red meat, organ meats, certain seafood, alcohol, and sugary drinks can help manage uric acid levels.

• Exercise regularly : Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight; however, you should avoid strenuous exercise.

• Limit alcohol : Alcohol, particularly beer and wine, can raise uric acid levels and contribute to gout flare-ups, so it is best to consume in moderation or avoid it altogether.

• Maintain a healthy weight : Being overweight increases the risk of elevated uric acid levels. 11 A healthy weight can help reduce your risk of gout, kidney stones, and other metabolic conditions.

• Regular check-ups : Schedule routine health check-ups to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and uric acid levels, and address any issues early on.

If your doctor suspects gout, kidney stones or other conditions related to high uric acid levels, they may recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.

• Joint Fluid Analysis : If your doctor suspects gout, fluid may be drawn from an affected joint using a needle and examined under a microscope. The presence of uric acid crystals in the fluid indicates gout.

• Urinalysis : If kidney stones are suspected, a urinalysis may be performed to check for blood, white blood cells, and crystals in the urine. This test helps identify the presence of uric acid crystals, which can contribute to kidney stones.

• Blood and Urine Tests : In addition to a Uric Acid test, other blood and urine tests may be used to explore the underlying causes of elevated uric acid levels, such as kidney function tests, metabolic panels, and tests to rule out conditions like renal failure or metabolic disorders.

These tests, when used together, help form a clearer picture of your health and guide effective treatment options.

There are two main types of Uric Acid blood tests:

1. Total Uric Acid Test

This test measures all the Uric Acid in your blood, including bound (attached to proteins) and free (active) Uric Acid. It’s the most common test, often included in routine health screenings.

2. Ionised Uric Acid Test

This test measures only the free, active Uric Acid in your blood. It’s more accurate for assessing Uric Acid that your body can use and is typically done if total Uric Acid results are abnormal or if you have specific health concerns.

Here is how the Uric Acid test differs from other similar tests:

• Uric Acid vs. SGOT: Uric Acid is more specific to liver damage, while SGOT can indicate damage to other organs like the heart and muscles.

• Uric Acid vs. LFT Panel: A full LFT provides a broader assessment of liver health, while Uric Acid specifically measures liver enzyme activity.

• Uric Acid vs. GGT: GGT is mainly used to assess bile duct function and alcohol-related liver conditions, whereas Uric Acid focuses on liver cell damage.

• Uric Acid vs. AFP: Uric Acid measures liver enzyme levels to detect liver cell damage, while AFP is a tumour marker used to diagnose and monitor liver cancer and chronic liver diseases with regenerative activity.

Uric Acid Blood Test During Pregnancy

Liver injury can result from multiple factors, including physical trauma, infections, or exposure to toxins. Uric Acid testing helps detect and assess the extent of liver damage

Special Conditions That Require Uric Acid Test

Uric Acid testing is essential in diagnosing and monitoring various forms of hepatitis, including viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), autoimmune hepatitis, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic hepatitis.

Medication-Related Liver Toxicity

Certain drugs, including pain relievers and antibiotics, can elevate Uric Acid levels, and require regular monitoring with this test.