Uric Acid Definition

Uric acid, found in the urine and blood, is a waste product remaining after the body's normal chemical processes. It can form after chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Any abnormal buildup in uric acid can lead to various health conditions.

What is Uric Acid?

• A high uric-acid level (hyperuricemia) indicates an abnormally large amount of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is waste formed from the breakdown of purine, which are part of human tissue and found in many foods. Foods rich in purine include organ meats like kidney; fish such as mackerel, herring and sardines; yeast; legumes; and beer and other alcoholic beverages. Uric acid is transported by the blood, passes through the kidneys, and is excreted from the body in the urine.

Side Effects

• High levels of uric acid can cause gout, kidney stones or kidney failure. The condition may also occur before the start of high blood pressure, heart disease or chronic kidney disease.

Causes

• A high uric-acid level maybe due to increased levels of production of uric acid or decreased levels of your body's elimination of uric acid. Factors such as blood-pressure medication, an excessive consumption of alcohol, genetics, and a purine-rich diet can lead to this condition.

Diagnosis

• Your physician will usually diagnose a high-uric acid count based on a lab test, and will discern the presence of other, related conditions.

Treatment

• Treatment includes reducing the consumption of foods high in purine, and consulting a doctor before changing medication.