Uric Acid Test: How To Interpret Your Uric Acid Levels

Some of the foods which are high in purine are dry beans, beer, anchovies, liver, and sardines.

One of the main functions of the kidneys is to eliminate uric acid after it gets dissolved in the blood. It is then excreted from the body via urine.

In the event that the body produces more uric acid than it can excrete through urination, crystals start forming in the joints, which will eventually result in arthritis.

Gout is the medical term for this inflammation of the big toe. Gout, a kind of arthritis, is characterised by painful inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissue. Some of the conditions that high uric acid levels might exacerbate are kidney stones and renal failure.

What's The Purpose of a Uric Acid Test?

When you're experiencing symptoms of a disorder that generates elevated uric acid levels, your doctor may suggest a uric acid urine test.

Gout is a kind of arthritis that may be diagnosed by seeing a rise in urine uric acid levels. Extreme discomfort and soreness in the joints, followed by inflammation, discolouration, and an unusual amount of heat around the joints are some of the noticeable symptoms of this illness.

Another thing that increased uric acid levels in the urine indicate is that a stone might be forming in your kidney. Crystals form hard lumps that are called kidney stones. These crystals grow in the urinary system as a result of an excess of uric acid in the body.

Watch out for the following symptoms if you feel you might be suffering from kidney stones:

• Immense pain in the lower back area.
• Nausea, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms.
• Frequent urination.
• Appearance of blood during urination.

A uric acid urine test may be ordered to evaluate the progress of a patient healing from kidney stones or gout. Uric acid urine testing may also be performed to track your health after radiation or chemotherapy. Uric acid accumulation is a potential side effect of several therapies.

What Preparation Should You Do Before Taking the Uric Acid Test?

If you're on any medication, supplements, or vitamins of any sort, the results of your uric acid test will be hampered. Stop taking medications as directed by your doctor, and abstain from alcohol consumption in the hours leading up to and including the test itself.

How is The Uric Acid Test Conducted?

A uric acid test necessitates the use of a blood or urine sample. The serum uric acid test is what it's called when a blood sample is used. The blood uric acid test requires a sample of blood to be drawn from a vein in the arm.

Each one of your collected urine samples will be tested for uric acid. You will be given a container to store your pee in for the next 24 hours. However, you should not collect the first urine you pass in the morning. Empty your bladder and start collecting the urine sample wherever you go after that.

The container has to be kept cold, either in a refrigerator or with ice. After 24 hours, the sample will be sent to a lab where uric acid levels will be analyzed.

For a uric acid test, fasting may also be suggested by your doctor, in which case you'll have to provide a sample after going without food for 8 to 12 hours.

What Should You Know When You Receive Your Uric Acid Test Results?

This test will show how much uric acid is in your blood, and the results will be expressed as a number with units of milligrams per deciliter of blood, or mg/dL. Uric acid is measured in milligrams while blood volume is expressed in decilitres.

To better understand test results, consult with your doctor to find out what's considered "normal" in your particular case. It is important to know the Uric Acid Test normal range while analysing the results. Depending on the laboratory, findings may be available in as little as one day.

For women, if your uric acid level is over 6 mg/dL, it's considered high, and for men, over 7 mg/dL is considered high.

Several tests may be ordered simultaneously by your doctor as they attempt to determine the source of your symptoms. The next step will be for your doctor to explain the significance of the test results and recommend a course of action.

Uric Acid Testing can now be done in the comfort of your home.

Book your Uric Acid Test online with Metropolis India today and begin your treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Required For a Uric Acid Test?

Urine from the whole 24-hour period should be collected for a uric acid analysis. An analysis of urine collected over 24 hours is known as a 24-hour urine sample test. Urine collection containers and storing instructions will be provided to you by your doctor or lab technician.

2. Is Uric Acid Test Fasting Necessary?

Your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything at least 4 hours before you take the uric acid test. He may also advise you to stop taking any medication during that period, which could hamper the uric acid test results.

3. Can Uric Acid Be Cured?

When uric acid levels are high, urate crystals form in your joints, which causes inflammation and is painful. This is called gout. There is no sure-shot remedy to permanently get rid of gout. That is why it should be treated before it worsens. The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms during an attack and stop more attacks from occurring. In most cases, doctors will try to lower blood levels of uric acid to alleviate gout pain.

4. What is The Cost Of a Uric Acid Test at Home?

One of the most renowned pathology laboratories for testing for uric acid is Metropolis, owing to its highly trained staff, along with access to over 100 internationally authorised laboratories (NABL and CAP), and over 1500 locations across India. You can expect your test results to be delivered within 24 hours. The Uric Acid Test price at Metropolis India is Rs. 220.