A high uric acid level is too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of purines. Purines are in certain foods, and the body forms them.
Blood carries uric acid to the kidneys. The kidneys pass most uric acid into the urine, which then leaves the body.
Gout or kidney stones can cause a high uric acid level. But most people with high uric acid levels don't have symptoms of either of these conditions or related issues.
A high uric acid level can be the result of the body making too much uric acid, not getting rid of enough of it or both.
A high uric acid level is not a disease. It doesn't always cause symptoms. But a healthcare professional might check uric acid levels for people who have an attack of gout or have a certain type of kidney stone.
If you think one of your medicines might be causing your high uric acid level, talk with your healthcare professional. But keep taking your medicines unless your healthcare professional tells you not to.
Show References
- Uric acid. Testing.com. https://www.testing.com/tests/uric-acid/. Accessed Aug. 20, 2025.
- Gout. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/gout/. Accessed Aug. 20, 2025.
- Mount DB. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 20, 2025.
- Gout. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/gout. Accessed Aug. 20, 2025.
- Yanai H, et al. Molecular biological and clinical understanding of the pathophysiology and treatments of hyperuricemia and its association with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; doi:10.3390/ijms22179221.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/high-uric-acid-level/basics/causes/sym-20050607