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 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.
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
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.
For a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. For a urine test, you will need to collect all your urine over a 24-hour period using a special container; store the container in a refrigerator or cooler with ice during collection.
There is no known risk to having a uric acid blood or urine test.
Understanding results
Your provider will interpret your results. High uric acid levels do not always mean you have a condition that needs treatment. Many people have high levels without health problems.
- High uric acid in blood: May be related to gout, kidney disease, kidney stones, leukemia, multiple myeloma, metastatic cancer, side effects of cancer treatments, alcohol use disorder, preeclampsia, or eating too many high-purine foods (red meat, organ meats, certain seafood, alcohol, high fructose corn syrup). Limitation: Does not confirm a diagnosis; further testing is needed. Next step: Prompt
- Low uric acid in blood: Uncommon and usually does not cause health problems. Related conditions are typically diagnosed with other tests. Limitation: Low levels are rarely a concern on their own. Next step: Routine
- High uric acid in urine: May be related to gout, kidney stones or high risk for kidney stones, leukemia, multiple myeloma, metastatic cancer, obesity, or an inherited genetic condition (e.g., Lesch-Nyhan syndrome). Limitation: Does not confirm a diagnosis; further testing is needed. Next step: Prompt
- Low uric acid in urine: May be related to kidney disease, lead poisoning, or alcohol use disorder. Limitation: Does not confirm a diagnosis; further testing is needed. Next step: Prompt
- 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.
- 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?