What Is The Uric Acid's Normal Level

What Is The Uric Acid’s Normal Level

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The human body remains in continuous motion, even while sleeping. Our gut continues to digest everything we ingest, the heart continues to pump blood, and the brain continues performing various functions. Every second of the way, the body continues to derive the good, such as vitamins and protein, and get rid of the bad, such as the waste products from various bodily reactions.

One of these waste products is uric acid, which is formed by the metabolism of purines. Most uric acid gets eliminated from the body when we urinate or defecate, but some malfunctions may hinder this seamless removal. Suspicions about high quantities of uric acid in the blood call for a uric acid test. This test is not a part of the routine blood testing but is rather prescribed only when you have a health complication. High levels of uric acid can result in gout and other such complications.

You can book yourself for an online doctor consultation to check whether you need the test or take a trip down to your nearest hospital. This article delves into uric acid’s normal levels and everything else you need to know about this test.

Why Would You Need A Uric Acid Blood Test?

The uric acid blood test is also known as a serum urate, serum uric acid test, or UA. Doctors typically prescribe this test to determine if you have any of the following health complications:

Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes intense pain because of the formation of uric acid crystals in joints. It commonly occurs in the big toe, but you may experience it in your feet, wrists, ankles, knees, and hands. Gout can cause redness, swelling, and discomfort in joints, hampering your normal range of motion.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard lumps that form in the kidneys and take the form of small stones. They result because of uric acid deposition and may cause severe intermittent pain in your lower back. Some common symptoms of kidney stones include vomiting, blood in urine, upset stomach, and an immediate need to pee.

Radiation or Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy or radiation kills a large number of cells in the body and may cause a rise in uric acid levels. In such cases, medical professionals prescribe uric acid tests to ensure that the levels do not exceed beyond the limit.

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Uric Acid Levels

Uric acid is a heterocyclic compound formed by the breakdown of purines, which in turn are found in DNA and many food items, including green vegetables, shellfish, red meats, and alcohol.
Studies show that about 21.4% of the people living in the United States suffer from hyperuricemia, which is an excessive buildup of uric acid in the body. 3.9% of these individuals suffer from gout, which results from excessive uric acid buildup in the body. To ascertain your health conditions, let’s dive into the normal and abnormal uric acid levels.

Normal Uric Acid Levels

As mentioned before, uric acid is formed by the breakdown of purine, a nitrogen-rich DNA component. Although purine is typically known as a nitrogen-containing compound, it is actually heterocyclic and contains oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The byproducts of DNA breakdown travel to the digestive system, where the gut determines which parts should be excreted out and which should be kept.

Uric acid is produced in the intestinal mucosa or the liver, and the normal levels in males and females differ. Normal levels in females vary from 2.4-6 mg/dL and from 3.4-7 mg/dL in males.

Hyperuricemia – Increased Uric Acid Levels

Hyperuricemia refers to increased uric acid levels in your blood. A medical professional may diagnose you with this condition if your blood increases by 7 mg/dL. Many United States residents suffer from this condition but may not be necessarily aware of it. Hyperuricemia typically manifests itself as kidney stones or gout.

About 3.9% of individuals in the United States have gout, more than 30% suffer from kidney stones due to secondary uricemia, and less than 2% have kidney stones because of primary uricemia. Let’s take a look at the difference between primary and secondary hyperuricemia:

Primary Hyperuricemia

Primary hyperuricemia refers to increased uric acid levels in the blood because of a rise in purine levels. This condition does not occur due to comorbid illnesses or conditions resulting in increased uric acid levels. There may be two causes of primary hyperuricemia:

  • Elevated Purine Levels – Increased purine levels typically result from increased consumption from exogenous sources.
  • Kidney Failure – Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys cannot excrete the uric acid accumulated in them, resulting in a buildup in the blood.

Secondary Hyperuricemia

Secondary hyperuricemia is a condition marked by increased uric acid levels in the body due to a comorbid illness or disease. The most common causes of secondary hyperuricemia include the following:

  • Diabetes Type II
  • Cancer or chemotherapy agents
  • Medications such as Niacin, Aspirin, and Levodopa
  • Lifestyle modifications such as obesity
  • Metabolic disorders

How Is The Uric Acid Test Performed?

The uric acid test is a pain-free, non-invasive procedure requiring only a blood sample. A technician usually draws blood from a vein located on the back of the hand or the inside of the elbow. You may feel a pinching when the needle pierces your skin, but the sensation is short-lived and bearable.

How To Prepare For a Uric Acid Blood Test?

Since the uric acid blood test is a simple procedure, it does not require extensive preparation. However, you may have to refrain from eating or drinking anything for at least four hours before the test unless your medical professional advises otherwise.

Some medications can also interfere with the blood test results, so it is important to tell your doctor about any and all medicines you may be on. The healthcare provider may then inform you if you temporarily need to stop taking certain drugs. Do not change or stop taking your medications without consulting your healthcare professional first.

If you are looking to get a uric acid test, American-board-certified and fellowship-trained professionals at Cura4U can help you. Head over to Cura4U to learn more about Cura Labs and book an online doctor consultation now!

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