Uric Acid Test: Procedure , Purpose, Normal Range and Result

A uric acid test helps you to assess the levels of uric acid in your urine or blood. With the help of a uric acid blood test, you can understand if your body is capable of producing and excreting uric acid from the system. When you eat foods containing purines, your body breaks them down into simpler substances. During this mechanism, a chemical called uric acid is produced. While foods like dried beans, mackerel, and anchovies contain organic compounds like purines, your body can also synthesize these substances during cell breakdown.

The uric acid formed in the body gets mixed with blood, then filtered by your kidneys and excreted through urine. If there's an excess production of uric acid, your body finds it difficult to eliminate it. This condition is called hyperuricemia. So, this test helps you determine if there's an excess accumulation of uric acid in your body. If left unchecked, hyperuricemia can cause a disease known as gout.

Gout is a condition in which your joints get swollen and red. The inflammation in joints causes severe pain. Reports reveal that men have a higher risk of developing gout than women [1]. The prevalence of this condition is increasing steadily over the years. Approximately 0.3% of Indians develop gout, according to a report.

Checking your uric acid levels regularly with a uric acid blood test can help prevent gout and similar conditions. However, if the uric acid level in your body dips, you may suffer from kidney or liver diseases. So, get a uric acid test done to check your body's uric acid production. To learn more about the purpose of a uric acid blood test, its procedure, and to understand the uric acid normal level in a body, read on.

Uric Acid Test Procedure 

To check uric acid levels in your body, a urine test can be done. The uric acid blood test is done in the usual blood sample collection by a lab technician. 

To check uric acid's normal levels in your body, doctors may also prescribe a urine blood test using urine samples, the first part of a uric acid test at home. For this urine test, you may be asked to collect all urine samples passed during a 24-hour period. This is why it is also called a 24-hour urine test. You will be provided with a container to store all your samples within the time frame.

First, you need to empty your bladder in the morning and note down the time. After this, all your urine samples need to be stored in the container. Keep your container in ice so your urine sample does not get contaminated. This sample will be analyzed in the laboratory to check if uric acid's normal levels are present in your body. 

Uric Acid Test Purpose

Your doctor may ask you to undergo a uric acid test for the following reasons: 

• To check the functioning of your kidney after injury 
• To understand if you are experiencing conditions like gout 
• To assess the underlying cause of kidney stones 
• To monitor your chemotherapy treatment 

It is essential if you experience gout symptoms such as swelling in the joints or if your skin surrounding the joints turns red. If you experience severe pain while urinating or a certain amount of blood comes out with urine, you may have to undergo either a urine test or a uric acid blood test.

While the blood test requires professional guidance, urine testing is a simple urine acid test at home. Before you take the test, it is advisable to follow your doctor's instructions. You may have to fast for at least four hours before the urine acid test. Make sure to inform your doctor about your medications, as they can interfere with your uric acid test results.

Uric Acid Test Results 

The quantity of uric acid in a human body varies between men and women. While the average uric acid level for females ranges between 1.5mg/dL and 6mg/dL, the normal uric acid level for men ranges from 2.5mg/dL to 7mg/dL. In conditions of hyperuricemia, the uric acid values exceed 6mg/dL in women and 7mg/dL in men. These levels indicate a problem with your kidney functioning. This means your kidneys can't filter out uric acid from the body.

If you are undergoing a urine test, the uric acid average level should hover between 250mg and 750mg during the 24-hour period. Based on your urine acid test results, your doctor may ask you to undergo additional tests before diagnosing any health ailments. Low uric acid levels in the body are rare. If you have it, make sure to get immediate medical attention.

Maintaining adequate levels of uric acid as it affects various metabolic functions in your body is essential. However, if you encounter unusual symptoms like blood in the urine or severe back pain, get your urine acid test done without delay. You can book a lab test on Bajaj Finserv Health to get a urine test at home. Be it a thyroid test or sugar test, fix an appointment and get your samples collected from the comfort of your home.

If you are planning to invest in a health insurance plan, check out the Complete Health Solution plan on Bajaj Finserv Health. With a total coverage of Rs.10 lakh and exciting benefits such as unlimited teleconsultations, preventive health check-ups, and lab test discounts, there's no need to worry about rising medical expenses. Book a plan and manage your medical bills with ease.