High uric acid, medically known as hyperuricaemia, occurs when the blood contains more uric acid than the kidneys can filter out. It is a common condition that can lead to gout, kidney stones, and deposits of uric acid crystals called tophi under the skin. The normal uric acid range is 3.4–7.0 mg/dL for men and 2.4–6.0 mg/dL for women.
Normal uric acid range: men 3.4–7.0 mg/dL, women 2.4–6.0 mg/dL.
Gout is the most common symptom — it causes sudden, severe joint pain, most often in the big toe.
Tophi are hard lumps of uric acid crystals that form under the skin near joints.
Uric acid kidney stones account for about 10% of all kidney stones.
Purine-rich foods like red meat, organ meats, and alcohol are major dietary causes.
Allopurinol is the most commonly prescribed medicine to lower uric acid levels.
Some people have high uric acid without any symptoms (asymptomatic hyperuricaemia).
Drinking plenty of water helps the kidneys excrete more uric acid.
Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines — natural substances found in many foods and in the body's own cells. It dissolves in blood, passes through the kidneys, and is excreted in urine. When the body produces too much uric acid or the kidneys excrete too little, uric acid builds up in the blood. This condition is called hyperuricaemia and can lead to painful joint and kidney problems.
The most well-known symptom of high uric acid is gout — a form of inflammatory arthritis characterised by sudden, severe pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in joints, most commonly the big toe. Other symptoms include: joint stiffness and limited range of motion, recurring gout attacks that become more frequent over time, formation of tophi (hard lumps of uric acid crystals) under the skin near joints and in the ears, and kidney stones causing severe pain in the back or side, blood in urine, and frequent urination. Some people have high uric acid with no symptoms at all — a condition called asymptomatic hyperuricaemia.
Diet is a major cause: purine-rich foods such as red meat, organ meats (liver, kidney), seafood (sardines, anchovies, shellfish), and alcohol (especially beer) raise uric acid levels. Other causes include obesity, which increases uric acid production; chronic kidney disease, which reduces the kidneys' ability to excrete uric acid; certain medicines such as diuretics (water pills), low-dose aspirin, and some chemotherapy drugs; medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism; and genetic factors — high uric acid can run in families.
The normal uric acid levels in blood are: Men: 3.4–7.0 mg/dL; Women: 2.4–6.0 mg/dL; Children: 2.5–5.5 mg/dL. Levels above 7.0 mg/dL in men and above 6.0 mg/dL in women are considered high (hyperuricaemia). These values may vary slightly between laboratories. Uric acid is measured through a simple blood test called a serum uric acid test, and it can also be measured in urine over a 24-hour collection period.
Treatment depends on the severity and underlying cause. Medications include allopurinol (most commonly prescribed — reduces uric acid production), febuxostat (alternative to allopurinol), and probenecid (helps kidneys excrete more uric acid). During a gout attack, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), colchicine, or corticosteroids relieve pain and inflammation. Dietary changes are essential: follow a low-purine diet by avoiding red meat, organ meats, seafood, and alcohol; increase water intake (8–12 glasses per day) to help flush uric acid through the kidneys; eat more vegetables, dairy products, and vitamin C-rich foods; and maintain a healthy weight.
The main symptoms are gout (severe joint pain and swelling, especially in the big toe), tophi (hard uric acid crystal deposits under the skin), and kidney stones. Some people have no symptoms at all.
Normal uric acid levels are 3.4–7.0 mg/dL for men and 2.4–6.0 mg/dL for women. Levels above these ranges indicate hyperuricaemia.
Avoid purine-rich foods such as red meat, organ meats (liver, kidney), seafood (sardines, anchovies, shellfish), and alcohol, especially beer. Sugary drinks with fructose should also be limited.
Allopurinol is the most commonly prescribed medicine for high uric acid. It works by reducing the amount of uric acid the body produces. Febuxostat and probenecid are alternatives.
In mild cases, a low-purine diet, increased water intake, and weight loss can bring uric acid levels to normal. However, moderate to severe hyperuricaemia usually requires medication in addition to dietary changes.
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