URIC ACID

The test measuring uric acid levels is performed at the blood sample. Uric acid is a compound formed in the body during the metabolism of purines which are contained in certain food and beverages. A higher than the normal level of uric acid may cause the precipitation of crystals in one’s joints leading to a painful ailment called gout arthritis. This test is also crucial in the assessment of the kidneys, as they are the organs responsible for the excretion of uric acid through their secretion in urine. Therefore, it helps to evaluate the condition of the kidney and opportunities of their lesions or diseases. 

The purpose of this test is to determine how much uric acid is located in your blood. Uric acid is a waste by-product of substrate metabolism. Purines are found in many drinks and foods. It assesses the metabolic status of your body in terms of uric acid production and uric acid elimination. If the level is lower than the necessary minimum, healthcare providers are sure that the contents of the organ’s tissue show the characteristics of excess precursors of uric acid or the extremities are not sufficiently eliminating the uric acid, which usually states about kidney or gout dysfunction. 

The most recommended tests are those of uric acid levels when individuals have symptom of joint pain and inflammation in the big toe mostly around gout region, tests are recommend due to suspected gout. It is also advised when the individual has kidney stones symptoms or when the person has kidney disease which requires monitoring. This test is needed after a patient has undergone chemotherapy or is suffering from a particular type of cancer which increases cell turnover. 

Uric acid test is pretty straightforward and only entails doing blood work, so a risk of anything occurring is next to nothing. The only exception might be slight discomfort or bruising due to the blood draw, but this vanishes quickly. On the other hand, there are certain factors such as diet, medications, alcohol, and even recent workouts, which could affect uric acid levels and might affect the outcome. It is important to note some people have high uric acid levels practically all their lives which means it is not always necessarily indicative of a disease. Likewise, just having normal uric acid levels is not always decisive in ruling out the risk of diseases like gout. 

The amount or level of uric acid concentration is the main parameter that is assessed in this test within your bloodstream. For men and postmenopausal women, the normal range of uric acid level is estimated to be in between 3.5 to 7.2 milligrams per deciliter, while for premenopausal the range is a cut lower. Concentrated levels also mean over production or diminished elimination of uric acid, whereas considerably low amounts suggest otherwise. 

A person suffering from joint aches, swelling, or redness who is at risk of having a gout disease may wish to go for uric acid testing. Other people who are likely to benefit include those who have a history of kidney stones or any possible family members who have suffered from gouty arthritis or renal insufficiency. Also, patients with diseases with a high cell turnover or those undergoing chemotherapy may need to have measurement of intracellular uric acid concentrations on a frequent basis. 

There are many advantages accompanying the uric acid test to the patient. It provides an opportunity to prevent or manage gout disease and evaluates people who are susceptible to kidney stones. Besides, if these levels are being controlled, it assists in developing effective treatment plans and medications for the patient so that there are no serious repercussions of high uric acid levels like chronic kidney disease. The test also claims to elaborate on the metabolic activities and assist the person with their overall health goals. 

The uric acid test is helpful in the diagnosis and monitoring of gout which causes joint pain due to uric crystals being deposited and manifests as an acute exacerbation. It is also essential in the diagnosis of uric acid kidney stones since when there are high levels of uric acid, stones form in the kidneys. It can also be used in the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and other conditions that increase uric acid production and/or reduce uric acid excretion such as the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. 

Prerequisites: Before drawing your blood, however, alcohol should not be consumed at least 24 hours prior to the test since it alters the levels of uric acids quite a lot. 

Eligibility: The test is recommended in: 

Look for people showing triggers for gout or kidney stones. Gurus could also help people having metabolic syndrome or other conditions impacting the metabolism of purines and hence uric acid. 

Procedure for Taking the Test: As any ordinary blood test, there is nothing specific that needs to be done. The test will start when a trained medical personnel starts the process of taking blood and this is normally done from the elbow of the arm. The ill test is then sent to the lab where the concentration of uric acid in blood in each sample is measured. 

Caution Before the Test: For a test result to be accurate, a patient must be honest about the amount of alcohol they drink and their diet. Similarly, a healthcare practitioner must be informed if there are any medicines, supplements, or herbs that the patient takes because some herbs may affect the test results.