Normal Uric Acid Level & Gout

Gout attacks occur when uric acid in the blood crystallizes in the joints. This happens when the uric acid level in the blood gets too high either because your body can't get rid of it through the urine or you are consuming foods that are too high in purines.

Hyperuricemia

• When your uric acid levels in your bloodstream are high, you most likely have a condition called hyperuricemia. Uric acid is usually excreted through urine or passes through the intestines. However if it passes through your liver, it enters your bloodstream.

Uric Acid Levels

• To know what high uric acid levels are, you need to know what the normal range for uric acid is considered. Though what is considered normal can vary somewhat, most laboratories accept between 2.4 and 6.0 mg/dL in females and 3.4 and 7.0 mg/dL in males as normal.

Low Purine

• Uric acid is formed when purines (nitrogen-containing compounds) break down. If you consume food low in purines, you'll have less uric acid to get eliminate. For instance, limit meat, fish and poultry and consume more of your protein from low-purine foods such as eggs, tofu and low-fat dairy products.

Causes

• Hyperuricemia is primarily caused by too many purines in the diet. A secondary cause is that is can sometimes be caused by disease or another condition. Finally, the body itself will sometimes produce too much uric acid or at least too much for it to be excreted.

Diagnosis

• To determine if your uric acid levels are high, your doctor will have a uric acid test performed. The levels are measured in both the blood and urine to determine if there is too much uric acid in your body and if your body is getting rid of enough of it.