In uric acid estimation?
- its affected by carbohydrate meal
- no need for fasting
- the patient has to come fasting***
--------------------------
What is the uric acid test?
This test measures the amount of uric acid in the blood or urine. Uric acid is a normal waste product that is produced when the body breaks down chemicals called purines. Purines are substances found in body cells and also in some foods. Foods with high levels of purines include liver, anchovies, sardines, dried beans and beer.
Most uric acid dissolves in the blood and then goes to the kidneys. From there, it leaves the body through urine. If the body produces too much uric acid or does not release enough in the urine, it can form crystals that form in the joints. This is known as gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes painful inflammation in and around the joints. High uric acid levels can also cause other problems, such as kidney stones and kidney failure.
Alternative names: serum urate, uric acid: serum and urine
For what do you use it?
The uric acid test is usually used to:
- Diagnose gout
- Find the cause of frequent kidney stones
- Control the level of uric acid in people who undergo certain cancer treatments. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause high levels of uric acid to enter the blood.
Why do I need a uric acid test?
You may also need a uric acid test if you have symptoms of gout, for example:
- Pain or swelling in the joints, especially in the big toe, ankle or knee
- Reddish and shiny skin around the joints
- Hotter skin in the joint area
You may also need this test if you have symptoms of a kidney stone, for example:
- Acute pain in the abdomen, on one side of the body or in the crotch
- Back pain
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Pain when urinating
- Cloudy or smelly urine
- Nausea and vomiting
In addition, you may need this test if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer. These treatments can increase uric acid levels. The test can help get treatment before the levels rise too high.
What happens during a uric acid test?
The uric acid test may be a blood or urine test.
In the blood test, the healthcare professional takes a blood sample from a vein in an arm with a small needle. After inserting the needle, draw a small amount of blood and place it in a test tube or vial. You may feel mild discomfort when the needle is inserted or removed, but the procedure usually takes less than five minutes.
For the uric acid test in the urine, you must collect all the urine for a period of 24 hours. This is known as a 24-hour urine sample analysis. The health professional or laboratory staff will give you a container to collect the urine and instructions to collect and store the samples. Collecting the 24-hour urine sample usually includes the following steps:
- Pee in the morning in the toilet and flush the chain. Write down the time
- For the next 24 hours, store all the urine in the container given to you
- Store the urine container in the refrigerator or in a portable refrigerator with ice
- Follow the instructions to take or send the container with the sample to your doctor's office or laboratory
Should I do something to prepare for the test?
The uric acid test in the blood does not require any special preparation. When giving the 24-hour urine sample, carefully follow all instructions.
Does this test have any risk?
The analysis of uric acid in the blood or urine has no known risk.
What do the results mean?
If the results of your blood tests show high uric acid levels, that may mean that you have:
- kidney disease
- Preeclampsia, which can cause dangerously high blood pressure in pregnant women
- A diet that includes too many foods high in purines
- Alcoholism
- Side effects of a cancer treatment
- its affected by carbohydrate meal
- no need for fasting
- the patient has to come fasting***
--------------------------
What is the uric acid test?
This test measures the amount of uric acid in the blood or urine. Uric acid is a normal waste product that is produced when the body breaks down chemicals called purines. Purines are substances found in body cells and also in some foods. Foods with high levels of purines include liver, anchovies, sardines, dried beans and beer.
Most uric acid dissolves in the blood and then goes to the kidneys. From there, it leaves the body through urine. If the body produces too much uric acid or does not release enough in the urine, it can form crystals that form in the joints. This is known as gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes painful inflammation in and around the joints. High uric acid levels can also cause other problems, such as kidney stones and kidney failure.
Alternative names: serum urate, uric acid: serum and urine
For what do you use it?
The uric acid test is usually used to:
- Diagnose gout
- Find the cause of frequent kidney stones
- Control the level of uric acid in people who undergo certain cancer treatments. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause high levels of uric acid to enter the blood.
Why do I need a uric acid test?
You may also need a uric acid test if you have symptoms of gout, for example:
- Pain or swelling in the joints, especially in the big toe, ankle or knee
- Reddish and shiny skin around the joints
- Hotter skin in the joint area
You may also need this test if you have symptoms of a kidney stone, for example:
- Acute pain in the abdomen, on one side of the body or in the crotch
- Back pain
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Pain when urinating
- Cloudy or smelly urine
- Nausea and vomiting
In addition, you may need this test if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer. These treatments can increase uric acid levels. The test can help get treatment before the levels rise too high.
What happens during a uric acid test?
The uric acid test may be a blood or urine test.
In the blood test, the healthcare professional takes a blood sample from a vein in an arm with a small needle. After inserting the needle, draw a small amount of blood and place it in a test tube or vial. You may feel mild discomfort when the needle is inserted or removed, but the procedure usually takes less than five minutes.
For the uric acid test in the urine, you must collect all the urine for a period of 24 hours. This is known as a 24-hour urine sample analysis. The health professional or laboratory staff will give you a container to collect the urine and instructions to collect and store the samples. Collecting the 24-hour urine sample usually includes the following steps:
- Pee in the morning in the toilet and flush the chain. Write down the time
- For the next 24 hours, store all the urine in the container given to you
- Store the urine container in the refrigerator or in a portable refrigerator with ice
- Follow the instructions to take or send the container with the sample to your doctor's office or laboratory
Should I do something to prepare for the test?
The uric acid test in the blood does not require any special preparation. When giving the 24-hour urine sample, carefully follow all instructions.
Does this test have any risk?
The analysis of uric acid in the blood or urine has no known risk.
What do the results mean?
If the results of your blood tests show high uric acid levels, that may mean that you have:
- kidney disease
- Preeclampsia, which can cause dangerously high blood pressure in pregnant women
- A diet that includes too many foods high in purines
- Alcoholism
- Side effects of a cancer treatment
Low uric acid levels in the blood are uncommon and are generally not a cause for concern.
If your urine test results show high uric acid levels, that may mean you have:
- Gout
- A diet that includes too many foods high in purines
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
Side effects of a cancer treatment:
- Obesity
- Low uric acid levels in the urine can be a sign of kidney disease, lead poisoning or excessive alcohol consumption.
There are treatments that can increase or reduce uric acid levels. They include medications or dietary changes. If you have questions about your results or treatments, consult your doctor or health professional.
Should I know more about the uric acid test?
Some people with high uric acid levels do not have gout or other kidney disorders. You may not need treatment if you have no symptoms of illness. But talk to your doctor or healthcare provider if you are worried about your uric acid levels or start having any symptoms.
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Clinical Pathology