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Uric Acid Levels in the Blood

Uric acid is created as the human body breaks down purine, a natural substance found in a variety of foodstuffs and beverages. Under normal circumstances, uric acid dissolves in the bloodstream, which carries it to the kidneys, where it is processed and eventually eliminated from the body in urine. Abnormally high or low levels of uric acid in the blood, however, are a signal that something is amiss in the body.

  1. Normal Levels

    • Normal levels of uric acid in the blood, according to the American Medical Association, range from 3.6 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) on the low end to 8.3 mg/dl on the high end. Levels that fall below 3.6 mg/dl or above 8.3 mg/dl are considered abnormal and signal the need for further study. Uric acid levels can be obtained through laboratory testing of a small sample of blood withdrawn from your arm. Unless the doctor directs otherwise, refrain from eating or drinking anything for at least four hours before the blood test.

    Hypouricemia

    • Abnormally low levels of uric acid in the blood, technically known as hypouricemia, are less common than readings above the normal range. According to MedlinePlus, low levels of uric acid may indicate that your diet is unusually low in purines, which are found in such foods as dried beans and peas, anchovies, mackerel, liver, beer and wine. It can also indicate the presence of such disorders as Fanconi syndrome, Wilson's disease, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion.

    Hyperuricemia

    • Abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood, known as hyperuricemia, can serve as a signal that you are an alcoholic, eating and drinking a purine-rich diet, exercising excessively or suffering from one of several disorders. These include gout, acidosis, diabetes, hypoparathyroidism, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephrolithiasis, polycythemia vera, kidney failure and chemotherapy-related side effects.

    Next Steps

    • If you have been found to have either abnormally high or low uric acid levels, the doctor should order further testing to pinpoint what specific problem is involved. He also probably will need to question you closely about behavioral and dietary habits that may offer a clue to the nature of the disorder.

    What You Can Do

    • To avoid the dangers associated with uric acid levels that are either too low or too high, try to eat a diet that includes moderate levels of purines and consume alcoholic beverages in moderation. This can help you keep levels of uric acid in the blood within a normal range. A 2007 study suggests that drinking coffee also may help to keep uric acid levels lower. Although abnormal levels may indicate the presence of other disorders, there is no reason to conclude that you brought on those conditions through either diet or behavior.

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