High Uric Acid: What It Means and How to Treat It

High uric acid levels can lead to serious health problems like gout and kidney stones. Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatments to manage this condition effectively.

Highlights:

Uric acid is a waste product primarily excreted by the kidneys
High levels can result from diet, alcohol, obesity, diabetes, and kidney dysfunction
Treatments include medications like uricosuric drugs and xanthine oxidase inhibitors

Uric acid is a byproduct of the body’s metabolism, primarily excreted by the kidneys through urine. When the kidneys fail to efficiently remove uric acid, levels can rise, especially in individuals consuming purine-rich foods, excessive alcohol, or those who are overweight, diabetic, or on certain medications like diuretics, or have impaired kidney function.

People with high uric acid levels might not always show symptoms. However, persistent elevated levels can lead to health issues, with symptoms often surfacing in those with serious underlying conditions.

DASH Diet Lowers Blood Pressure and Uric Acid Levels in Patients With Gout
The DASH diet which is recommended to reduce high blood pressure also appears to significantly lower uric acid levels, which is known to trigger gout.

‘Did You Know?
Elevated uric acid levels can cause painful gout and kidney stones. #uricacid #medindia’

Health Problems Caused by Uric Acid Accumulation

Excess uric acid can accumulate in tissues, leading to various health problems such as ().

1. Gout: A type of joint inflammation characterized by

Severe joint pain within the first 12-24 hours
Pain that persists for days to weeks, potentially spreading to other joints
Redness, tenderness, and swelling around the affected joint
Decreased joint mobility

2. Kidney Stones: Symptoms include

Back and flank pain
Frequent urination
Nausea and vomiting
Changes in urine appearance, such as cloudiness, blood, unusual odor, fever, and chills

High Uric Acid Levels in Early Childhood Leads to Higher Blood Pressure in Later Years
High levels of serum uric acid during early childhood influences the risk of blood pressure during later years.

What is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines, which are substances found in certain foods and beverages such as liver, anchovies, mackerel, dry beans, peas, and beer. Purines are also naturally occurring in the body, as they are part of the cells' DNA, generating uric acid as cells die and are broken down.

Uric Acid, Gout and Kidney Disease are Interlinked
The kidney filters and excretes uric acid when the levels are elevated, so excess uric acid levels sometimes affect the kidney and cause renal disease.

Normal Uric Acid Levels

Women:

2.4 to 6.0 mg/dL

Men:

3.4 to 7.0 mg/dL

Note: Normal values can vary between laboratories.

To diagnose uric acid levels, a blood sample is analyzed in a laboratory ().

High Blood Pressure may be Caused by High Levels of Uric Acid
Research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta says that people with hyperuricemia are at an increased risk for high blood pressure

Causes of High Uric Acid Levels

Diabetes
Obesity
Excessive exercise
Purine-rich diet
Polycythemia vera
Leukemia
Cancer or chemotherapy (due to tumor lysis syndrome)
Immunosuppressants
Lead poisoning
Genetics
Acidosis
Hypoparathyroidism
Excessive alcohol consumption
High blood pressure
Kidney failure
Medullary cystic kidney disease
Dehydration, often due to diuretics
Higher susceptibility in men
Toxemia during pregnancy

Click here to now the list of drugs that can increase uric acid level

Treatment Options for High Uric Acid Levels

Uricosuric Medications: Such as probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, prevent urate reabsorption, thus stopping the formation of uric acid crystals in tissues (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Hyperuricemia

Go to source).
Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors: Including allopurinol, these help to prevent gout by reducing uric acid production. Allopurinol can also help manage uric acid levels in patients with leukemia or lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy, which can cause elevated uric acid levels leading to renal failure.

Uric acid is a metabolic waste product, and elevated levels over time can damage joints and tissues. Managing uric acid levels is crucial for those with conditions like gout to reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

Maintaining balanced uric acid levels is crucial for overall health and well-being.

References:

High & Low Uric Acid Symptoms: How to Stay in a Safe Range - (https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/more-about/high-low-uric-acid-symptoms-how-stay-in-safe-range)
High uric acid level - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/high-uric-acid-level/basics/causes/sym-20050607)
Hyperuricemia - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459218/)

Source-Medindia