Uric Acid Test

This test measures the amount of uric acid in a sample of your blood or urine (pee). Uric acid is a normal waste product that your body makes when it breaks down chemicals called purines. Purines come from your cells when they die.

Purines are also found in many foods and beverages. Most uric acid dissolves in your blood. Your kidneys filter the uric acid out of your blood, and it leaves your body in your urine.

If uric acid builds up in your blood, it can form needle-shaped crystals in and around your joints. This condition is called gout. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes painful swelling in your joints.

High uric acid levels can also cause kidney stones, or kidney failure. But not everyone with high levels of uric acid will have these problems.

Why this test is done

You may need a uric acid blood test if you:

• Have symptoms of gout. Symptoms usually happen in one joint at a time. The big toe is most commonly affected, but your other toes, ankle, or knee may have symptoms, which include:
• Intense pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Feeling warm
• Had or are having certain types of cancer treatments.

You may also need a uric acid urine test if you:

• Have symptoms of a kidney stone, including:
• Sharp pain in your lower abdomen (belly), side, groin or back
• Blood in your urine
• Frequent urge to urinate (pee)
• Not being able to urinate at all or only urinating a little bit
• Pain when urinating
• Cloudy or bad-smelling urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Have gout and your health care provider wants to monitor your risk for developing kidney stones

How to prepare

Usually, you don't need any special preparations for a uric acid blood test. Many medicines, including aspirin, can affect your uric acid levels. Taking niacin (vitamin B-3) can also affect your results.

So, be sure to tell your provider about all the medicines you take. But don't stop taking any medicines without talking with your provider first.

Sample type

Blood Urine

Other names for this test

serum urate, UA, uric acid: serum and urine