Why get a uric acid test done?
The uric acid test is most often used to:
- Help diagnose gout
- Help find the cause for frequent kidney stones
- Monitor uric acid levels in people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy
When to get tested?
- When you have joint pain or swelling in joints, especially the big toe, ankle or knee.
- Reddish shiny skin around.
- Joints that feel warm when touched.
What is uric acid?
Uric acid is generally produced in our body and is excreted out in urine as a waste product of metabolism. In some people, the body produces excess uric acid or the produced uric acid is not excreted by the kidneys in urine, which leads to increased concentration of acid levels leading to hyperuricemia. in some people, the uric acid gets deposited in the joints causing pain and inflammation leading to a diseased condition called gout.
Factors causing high uric acid levels:
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Genetics
- hypothyroidism
- obesity
- psoriasis
- purine-rich diet
- renal insufficiency
Tips to lower uric acid levels:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Consume low-fat dairy products
- Avoid excessive consumption of meat and seafood.
- Avoid too much alcohol which interferes with uric acid elimination.
It’s always better to consult a doctor before getting the test done so proper evaluation can be done to rule out the possible diagnosis.
By,
Dr.Chandrashekar
Reference:
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/uric-acid-urine-test#1
https://labtestsonline.org/tests/uric-acid
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/high-uric-acid-level/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050607
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