Uric acid test (blood test)

Uric acid test (blood test)

A uric acid blood test, also known as a measurement of uric acid in serum, determines how much uric acid is present in the blood. The test can help determine how well your body produces and eliminates uric acid.
Uric acid test (blood analysis) -Uses -Preparation -Procedures -Results- risks -conclusions

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    Purposes of a uric acid blood test
    Preparation
    Process
    Test results
    Risks
    Conclusions

Uric acid is a chemical produced when the body breaks down foods that contain organic compounds called purines.
Purposes of a uric acid blood test

Usually, the test is used to:

    Diagnosis and monitoring of people with gout
    control people who are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy
    check kidney function after an injury
    find the cause of kidney stones
    diagnose kidney disorders

You may need a uric acid test if:

    you have joint pain or swelling that may be related to gout
    who is currently undergoing chemotherapy
    that is about to start chemotherapy
    you have frequent kidney stones
    you have been diagnosed with gout in the past

Another option for uric acid testing is to test your urine for a period of 24 hours. Sometimes, your doctor will recommend both to confirm the diagnosis.
Preparation

The following may interfere with your uric acid test results:

    Alcohol
    certain medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin)
    high levels of vitamin C
    dyes used in X-ray tests

Tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements you are taking.

You may have to fast (refrain from eating or drinking) for four hours before the test.
Process

The process of obtaining a blood sample for the test is called venous puncture.

Your doctor or other health professional draws blood from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. First, they will sterilize the area with an antiseptic. Next, wrap an elastic band around the arm to allow blood to fill the veins.

Next, they will insert a needle into the vein. The blood is collected in an attached vial. Once the blood has been collected, the plastic band will be untied and the needle will be removed from the vein. Pressure will be applied to the site of needle entry and a bandage will be applied if necessary.

For infants and young children, a small incision can be made on the arm and a strip or test strip used to collect a small sample of blood. The area is cleaned and sold if necessary.

Once collected, the blood is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

uric acid blood test
Test results

Uric acid levels may vary based on gender. According to the Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL), normal values ​​for women are 2.5 to 7.5 milligrams / deciliter (mg / dL) and 4.0 to 8.5 mg / dl for men. However, the values ​​may vary based on the laboratory doing the test.

According to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), your target level if you have gout is a blood uric acid level of less than 6 mg / dl. Low levels of uric acid are less common than high levels and are less health problems.

High levels of uric acid in the blood usually indicate that your body is making too much uric acid or that your kidneys are not removing enough uric acid from your body. Having cancer or undergoing cancer treatment can also raise uric acid levels.

High levels of uric acid in the blood can also indicate a variety of conditions, including:

    Diabetes
    gout, which involves recurrent attacks of acute arthritis
    chemotherapy
    Bone marrow disorders, such as leukemia
    a diet high in purines
    hypoparathyroidism, which is a decrease in parathyroid function
    Kidney disorders, such as acute kidney failure
    kidney stones
    multiple myeloma, which is the cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow
    cancer with metastasis, which is a cancer that has spread from its original site

The uric acid test in blood is not considered a definitive test for gout. The only test that can absolutely confirm the presence of gout is probing liquid from a person's joint of monosodium urate. However, your doctor can make a conjecture based on high blood levels and the symptoms of gout. In addition, it is possible to have high levels of uric acid without the symptoms of gout. This is known as asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Low levels of uric acid in the blood may suggest:

    Wilson's disease, which is a hereditary disorder that causes copper to accumulate in body tissues
    Fanconi syndrome, which is a kidney disorder
    alcoholism
    liver or kidney disease
    a low purine diet

Risks

The extraction of blood are routine and very safe. The risks associated with a uric acid blood test are the same as those associated with any blood draw. Blood tests of uric acid can cause:

    pain or discomfort at the puncture site
    Bleeding
    fainting or stunning
    a buildup of blood under the skin, such as bruising or bruising
    infection at the puncture site

If you experience significant bleeding that does not stop after the blood test, seek emergency medical treatment. However, this is a rare phenomenon, as are the other complications discussed here.
Conclusions

Your uric acid blood test results can help determine what treatments are appropriate. In some cases, you may not need treatment.

If your doctor diagnoses you with gout, this may include taking medications to reduce pain and swelling. Changes in the diet to reduce back in purines can also help. Changing your diet can also benefit you if you have chronic uric acid kidney stones. If you are going to undergo different chemotherapy treatments, you may need frequent blood test checks to make sure that your uric acid levels do not become too high.