Uric acid is produced when purines (found naturally in the body and in many foods) are broken down. Most uric acid dissolves in the blood and is excreted by the kidneys. Elevated levels can lead to crystal formation in joints (gout) or kidneys (uric acid kidney stones).
This test is used to evaluate suspected gout in patients with joint pain and swelling, monitor known gout and response to urate-lowering therapy, assess patients with kidney stones, and follow patients receiving chemotherapy where rapid cell breakdown can dangerously raise uric acid (tumor lysis syndrome). Low uric acid is less common but may occur in certain inherited disorders or with some medications. Sample type is serum.
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