A high uric acid level is too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is made during the breakdown of purines. Purines are found in certain foods and are formed by the body.
Blood carries uric acid to the kidneys. The kidneys pass most uric acid into the urine, which then leaves the body.
A high uric acid level can be linked to gout or kidney stones. But most people with high uric acid levels don't have symptoms of either of these conditions or related problems.
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 health care provider 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 care provider. But keep taking your medicines unless your provider tells you not to.
Show References
- Uric acid. Testing.com. https://www.testing.com/tests/uric-acid/. Accessed Nov. 22, 2022.
- Gout. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/gout.html. Accessed Nov. 22, 2022.
- Mount DB. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 22, 2022.
- Gout. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/gout. Accessed Nov. 22, 2022.
- 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/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050607