Uric acid in the blood

Uric acid in the blood can be detected when passing an analysis prescribed by a doctor in search of the cause of the patient’s ailment, and also by chance – when passing a biochemical blood test as part of a routine examination. An increase in the level of uric acid in the blood is called hyperuricemia.

When taking an analysis for uric acid, it is important to follow certain rules: most importantly, do not eat 12 hours before blood sampling. That is, if the analysis was scheduled for the morning, then it is undesirable to have dinner after 7-8 pm. Also, smoking shortly before going to the clinic or laboratory and even jitters before, directly, the analysis can “lubricate” the result. Nowadays, venous blood sampling is performed using a thin, very sharp needle, so doctors do not advise being afraid – the patient most likely will not even feel the very moment of the injection.

The rate of uric acid in the blood

In adult men, the norm of uric acid in the blood is 262 – 452 μmol / l, in women – 137 – 393. At the age of over 60 years, the norms change – up to 250 – 476 μmol / l in men, and up to 208 – 434 in women. There are separate rules for children under 12, as well as for older people over the age of 90. In any case, doctors do not recommend independently studying the results of their tests without having a medical education and making diagnoses for themselves, and even more so, do not try to independently increase or decrease the level of uric acid in the blood with drugs or folk remedies without consulting a doctor who will assess the situation generally.

Causes of an increase in uric acid in the blood

If you ask the doctor the question: “Why is my uric acid content in the blood higher than normal”, then he may ask if the patient complains about the joints or even: “Do your big toes hurt?”.

The fact is that uric acid is a product of the metabolism of purines, compounds that are present both in the human body and in its food. Some foods and drinks are especially rich in purines, so when uric acid in the blood rises, a doctor may suspect a person has gout, even if he is not a king or an elderly aristocrat from an English novel. “The disease of abundance” – this is sometimes called this condition, because earlier people “not ordinary” could afford to regularly consume meat, beer, wine and sweets.

In addition to gout, an increase in uric acid in the blood can also indicate kidney disease, toxicosis, and even observed in blood cancers. And it may indicate dehydration or anemia with a lack of vitamin B.

In a word, it is impossible to make assumptions based on one analysis, the symptoms of the disease are important.

Diagnostics

An increase in the level of uric acid in the blood is diagnosed by a blood test for Uric acid by the enzymatic method. The result can be obtained in a period of several hours to several days, depending on the capabilities of the laboratory conducting the study.

Treatment

As doctors like to say, “we treat the person, not the analysis.” If the analysis confirms the doctor’s suspicion of gout, then he will determine whether the disease is primary (idiopathic) or secondary. Idiopathic gout can be caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and dietary factors. Secondary – taking certain medications or other external factors that caused metabolic disorders.

Acute attacks of gout are treated with both painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and the introduction of steroids directly into the diseased joint.

Outside of an exacerbation, the doctor gives recommendations on a healthy diet and treats diseases that often accompany gout, such as hypertension.

Methods for lowering uric acid levels in the blood

There are a number of drugs to lower the level of uric acid in the blood, but they are prescribed by a doctor, evaluating, among other things, kidney function.

Diet therapy includes the rejection of alcohol, especially beer and wine, the rejection of pickles and smoked meats, offal (including liver pates and sausages), chocolate, coffee and tea (in any case, strong black). However, you should not go on a strict debilitating diet either – fasting also leads to hyperuricemia.

Popular questions and answers

We asked you to answer typical questions about uric acid in the blood rheumatologist-cardiologist Victoria Lvovskaya.