Uric Acid Test
Reviewed
A uric acid test measures the amount of uric acid in a blood or urine sample. Uric acid is a normal waste product from the breakdown of purines. High levels can cause gout or kidney stones, but not everyone with high levels will have these problems.
Preparation and collection
Tell your provider about all medicines you take, including aspirin and niacin (vitamin B-3), as they can affect results. Do not stop any medicine without talking with your provider first.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- High uric acid levels do not always mean you have a condition that needs treatment.
- Low uric acid levels are uncommon and usually do not cause health problems.
- Results may be affected by medicines (including aspirin) and niacin (vitamin B-3).
- Interpretation should be done by your healthcare provider.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider. Medicines and/or changes in your diet may help keep uric acid levels in a healthy range.