To book, call 8872524007.
What the Uric Acid test checks
Uric acid forms when the body breaks down purines. Purines come from your own cells as they're renewed, and from food: red meat, organ meat like liver and kidney, some fish and shellfish, and beer. Most uric acid leaves through the kidneys.
If the body makes too much, or the kidneys don't clear enough, the level rises. Above a certain point it can form sharp crystals in joints or stones in the kidneys.
Why your doctor may order it
- Sudden pain, redness and swelling in a joint, especially the big toe, ankle or knee
- Repeated kidney stones
- Monitoring people on urate-lowering medicines such as allopurinol or febuxostat
- During chemotherapy for some blood cancers, when many cells break down quickly
- As part of a KFT test or general health check
- In pregnancy, where high blood pressure is being assessed
How to prepare
Most labs don't insist on fasting, though some doctors prefer a morning sample after a light dinner. Check your slip.
What matters more is the day before. Skip alcohol, especially beer, and avoid a heavy meal of mutton, organ meat or seafood. Very strenuous exercise and crash dieting can also raise uric acid for a while. Some medicines push it up, including certain water tablets and low-dose aspirin; keep taking them, but tell us what you use.
Sample type and report time
A serum sample is drawn into a red or yellow tube. Results are usually ready the same day if given by about 11 am, as a printed copy and a PDF on WhatsApp.
Searching for a uric acid test near me during a painful flare, when walking is hard? We can collect at home in Banur and nearby villages; see home sample collection.
Understanding your results
Adult reference ranges are often roughly 3.5 to 7.2 mg/dL in men and 2.6 to 6.0 mg/dL in women, though they vary by lab.
High uric acid can be associated with gout, kidney stones, reduced kidney function, a diet high in purines, alcohol, obesity, some medicines and fast cell turnover. Plenty of people have high uric acid and never get gout. And during an acute gout attack the level can actually read normal, which is why doctors sometimes repeat it a few weeks later.
Low uric acid is uncommon and usually not a concern on its own. The range printed on your report is the one that applies, ranges vary by lab and method, and your doctor reads the result alongside your symptoms and other tests.
FAQ
Do I need to fast for a uric acid test?
Usually not, but avoid alcohol and heavy meat or seafood the day before. If your doctor asked for fasting, follow that.
Can uric acid be normal during a gout attack?
Yes, it can. That's why a normal result during a flare doesn't rule gout out, and doctors may repeat it later.
Does high uric acid always mean gout?
No. Many people have raised levels without symptoms. Your doctor decides whether anything needs doing.
Which foods raise uric acid?
Red meat, organ meat, some seafood, beer and sugary drinks are the main ones.
Book at Alpha Laboratory
Call 8872524007 to book a uric acid test, or WhatsApp us your slip. Find the lab on our contact page.