What Is Uric Acid in a Blood Test?

Uric acid is a waste product from purine breakdown. Excess uric acid forms crystals that deposit in joints (gout) or kidneys (stones).

Normal Ranges

• Men: 3.4–7.2 mg/dL
• Women: 2.4–6.0 mg/dL
• Above 6.8 mg/dL = crystal formation possible
• Above 7.2 mg/dL = hyperuricemia

High Uric Acid Causes

• Diet: red meat, organ meats, seafood, beer, fructose-sweetened drinks
• Reduced kidney excretion
• Medications: diuretics, low-dose aspirin
• Metabolic syndrome
• Genetics
• Rapid cell turnover — chemotherapy, psoriasis

Health Consequences

• Gout — severe joint pain (classically big toe)
• Kidney stones
• Chronic kidney disease
• Cardiovascular risk

Lowering Uric Acid

• Limit red meat, organ meats, seafood, alcohol
• Drink plenty of water
• Allopurinol or febuxostat for recurrent gout
• Weight loss