Uric Acid Test
Reviewed
Also called: Serum Urate, UA, Uric Acid: Serum and Urine
A uric acid test measures the amount of uric acid in a sample of your blood or urine (pee).
Specimen: Blood (serum) or urine (24-hour collection)
Why this test may be ordered
- To help diagnose gout (usually with synovial fluid analysis)
- To monitor uric acid levels during cancer chemotherapy or certain cancer treatments
- To help find out whether high uric acid levels are causing kidney stones
- To monitor the risk of developing kidney stones in people with gout
Preparation and collection
Many medicines, including aspirin, can affect uric acid levels in your blood and urine. Taking niacin (vitamin B-3) can also affect your results. So, be sure to tell your provider about all the medicines you take. But don’t stop taking any medicines without talking with your provider first.
A uric acid test may be done as a blood test or a urine test. Your provider will decide which test you need. For a uric acid urine test, you'll need to collect all your urine during a 24-hour period.
There is no known risk to having a uric acid blood or urine test.
Understanding results
Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and is filtered out by the kidneys. It then exits your body through your urine.
- High uric acid in blood: High uric acid levels in a blood test may happen if your body makes too much uric acid or if your kidneys can't properly remove uric acid from your blood. Limitation: If your results show a high level of uric acid in your blood or urine, it doesn't always mean you have a condition that needs treatment. Many people have high levels of uric acid without having health problems. Next step: Your provider may order more tests to help diagnose what’s causing the problem.
- Low uric acid in blood: Low levels of uric acid in blood are uncommon and usually don’t cause health problems. Limitation: Health conditions that are related to low uric acid levels are usually diagnosed using other tests. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
- High uric acid in urine: High uric levels in urine, may be related to: gout, kidney stones or having a high risk for kidney stones, leukemia, multiple myeloma, or cancer that has spread in your body, obesity Limitation: If your results show a high level of uric acid in your blood or urine, it doesn't always mean you have a condition that needs treatment. Many people have high levels of uric acid without having health problems. Next step: Medicines and/or changes in your diet may help you keep your uric acid levels in a healthy range.
- Low uric acid in urine: Low levels of uric acid in urine may be related to kidney disease, lead poisoning, or alcohol use disorder. Limitation: Many medicines, including aspirin, can affect uric acid levels in your blood and urine. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
- 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 you keep your uric acid levels in a healthy range.
- What do my uric acid levels mean for my health?
- Do I need any follow-up tests?
- Should I make any changes to my diet or medicines?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.