Uric Acid Test - All you need to know about

A uric acid test is an important blood or urine test that determines uric acid levels in your blood to check whether or not you have gout. Gout is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation of the joints caused due to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. According to the sources, gout affects almost 0.3% of the Indian population. With the increasing cases of gout across the world, you must be aware of the diagnostic test used for gout. In this article, let us discuss the uric acid test, a diagnostic test for gout. This article will also talk about the situations where the uric acid test is recommended, how it is done, and its cost in India.

What is a Uric acid test?

A uric acid test is a diagnostic test conducted to determine uric acid levels present in your urine or blood sample. Your body breaks down purines present in food and produces a waste product known as uric acid. In normal conditions, the uric acid dissolves in the blood and reaches the kidney, from where it is excreted out of your body. When your body starts producing a lot of uric acids, it can result in the formation of crystals in your joints. This condition is known as gout, a medical condition very similar to arthritis. The accumulation of uric acid crystals leads to painful inflammation around the joints.

Why is a uric acid test done?

A uric acid blood test is prescribed by doctors when they suspect that you have gout. The test might also be prescribed to people who have undergone radiation treatment or chemotherapy to treat cancer. The test is also sometimes done to evaluate the function of kidneys after an injury or to diagnose kidney disorders. Several symptoms can lead a doctor to suggest a uric acid test. Your doctor the might recommend you the uric acid test if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Redness of joints
• Intense joint pain
• Heat 
• Swelling of joints
• Pain in your abdomen or back
• Blood in your urine
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Bad smelling urine
• Pain while urinating
• Nausea
• Vomiting 

How is a uric acid test done?

The blood or urine sample is required for a uric acid test. If you give a blood sample for the test, then it is known as the serum uric acid test. The blood is collected from a vein in your arm for the blood uric acid test. For the uric acid urine test, all the urine you pass in 24 hours is collected for testing. You’ll be given a container wherein you have to collect all the urine for 24 hours from the next day, leaving the first urine you pass early in the morning. You must store the container in a cool place with ice or in a refrigerator. After you have collected the sample for 24 hours, the levels of uric acid in your sample will be tested in the laboratory. Some doctors might recommend a fasting uric acid test. In a fasting test, you will be required to give your sample without eating for at least 8 - 12 hours, that is, on an empty stomach.

What is the normal range for a uric acid test?

The optimum range of uric acid in your body varies depending upon whether you are a male or a female. The normal range of uric acid in females is between 1.5 mg/dL to 6.0 mg/dL, while for men, the normal values lie between 2.5 mg/dL to 7.0 mg/dL. If the results of your uric acid test results differ from the optimum range, it may indicate an underlying health condition. Low levels of uric acid rarely occur. High levels of uric acid are a more common abnormality. The interpretation of the uric acid test depends on what sample is used for testing. If the blood sample is used, then high levels of uric acid may be an indication of conditions like:

• Diabetes 
• Purine rich diet
• Alcoholism 
• Kidney disease
• Preeclampsia 
• Side effects of cancer treatment 

If the urine sample is used, then the high levels of uric acid can be an indication of the following medical conditions:

• Leukaemia 
• Gout 
• Multiple myeloma
• Obesity 
• Purine rich diet
• Side effects of cancer treatment

What is the cost of a uric acid test in India?

The uric acid test is a simple test. The price of the uric acid test at Redcliffe Labs is approximately Rs 400/- which is currently available under special discounts at Rs 160/- only.

Takeaway

The uric acid test is an important diagnostic test for diagnosing the condition of joint inflammation, that is, gout. With the increasing cases of gout in India, you must be aware of the diagnostic test. Now that you know all about the uric acid test, including the conditions in which it is recommended, the optimum levels of uric acid in the blood, and the interpretation of the uric acid test result, you will better be able to diagnose your medical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is a test for uric acid?

A blood or urine test is done to determine uric acid levels in your blood.

• What happens if uric acid is high?

If uric acid levels are high, the crystals may deposit in the joints leading to gout.

• What are the symptoms of high uric acid?

The symptoms of high uric acid include Redness of joints, intense joint pain, heat, swelling of joints, pain in your abdomen or back, presence of blood in your urine, frequent urge to urinate, bad-smelling urine, pain while urinating, nausea, and vomiting.