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Uric acid urine test
The uric acid urine test measures the level of uric acid in urine.
Uric acid level can also be checked using a blood test.
How the Test is Performed
A 24-hour urine sample is often needed. You will need to collect your urine over 24 hours . Your health care provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.
Collect your urine over 24 hours
The urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day. The amount of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into t...
How to Prepare for the Test
Your health care provider may ask you to temporarily stop taking medicines that may affect the test results. Be sure to tell your provider about all the medicines you take. These include:
- Aspirin or aspirin-containing medicines
-
Gout
medicines
Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes inflammation in the joints. Acute gout is a painful condition th...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
- Water pills (diuretics)
DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.
Be aware that alcoholic drinks, vitamin C, and x-ray dye can also affect test results.
How the Test will Feel
The test involves only normal urination. There is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
This test may be done to help determine the cause of a high uric acid level in the blood. It may also be done to monitor people with gout, and to choose the best medicine to lower the uric acid level in the blood.
Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines. Most uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys, where it passes out in urine. If your body produces too much uric acid or does not remove enough of it, you may get sick. A high level of uric acid in the body is called hyperuricemia and it can lead to gout or kidney damage.
This test may also be done to check whether a high uric acid level is causing kidney stones.
Normal Results
Normal values range from 250 to 750 milligrams per 24 hours (1.48 to 4.43 millimoles per 24 hours).
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A high uric acid level in the urine may be due to:
-
Body not being able to process purine (
Lesch-Nyhan
syndrome)
Lesch-Nyhan
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a disorder that is passed down through families (inherited). It affects how the body builds and breaks down purines. Purine...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Certain cancers that have spread (metastasized)
-
Disease that results in breakdown of muscle fibers (
rhabdomyolysis
)
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that leads to the release of muscle fiber contents into the blood. These substances are harmful to ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Disorders that affect the bone marrow (myeloproliferative disorder)
-
Fanconi syndrome
Fanconi syndrome
Fanconi syndrome is a disorder of the kidney tubes in which certain substances normally absorbed into the bloodstream by the kidneys are released int...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Gout
- High-purine diet
A low uric acid level in the urine may be due to:
- Kidney that is not able to get rid of uric acid well, which can lead to gout or kidney damage
-
Kidneys that are not able to filter fluids and waste normally (chronic
glomerulonephritis
)
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged....
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Lead poisoning
Lead poisoning
Lead is a very strong poison. When a person swallows a lead object or breathes in lead dust, some of the poison can stay in the body and cause serio...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Long-term (chronic) alcohol use
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
References
Burns CM, Wortmann RL. Clinical features and treatment of gout. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, et al., eds. Kelly's Textbook of Rheumatology . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 95.
Inker LA, Fan L, Levey AS. Assessment of renal function. In: Johnson RJ, Feehally J, Floege J. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 3.
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 114.
McPherson RA, Ben-Ezra J. Basic examination of urine. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 28.
-
Nitrogen test - illustration
Urea nitrogen urine test is performed to check for the amount of urea in urine. Urine is collected over a 24 hour period and is sent to the laboratory for testing. This test is mainly used to assess the amount of dietary protein needed by severely ill patients.
Nitrogen test
illustration
-
Uric acid test - illustration
Uric acid urine test is performed to check for the amount of uric acid in urine. Urine is collected over a 24 hour period and is sent to the laboratory for testing. The most common reason for measuring uric acid levels is in the diagnosis or treatment of gout, because gout results from crystallization of uric acid crystals in joints. Some kidney stones are also composed of uric acid.
Uric acid test
illustration
-
Uric acid crystals - illustration
These spiked rods are uric acid crystals photographed under polarized light. Increased uric acid blood levels and formation of uric acid crystals in the joints are associated with gout.
Uric acid crystals
illustration
-
Nitrogen test - illustration
Urea nitrogen urine test is performed to check for the amount of urea in urine. Urine is collected over a 24 hour period and is sent to the laboratory for testing. This test is mainly used to assess the amount of dietary protein needed by severely ill patients.
Nitrogen test
illustration
-
Uric acid test - illustration
Uric acid urine test is performed to check for the amount of uric acid in urine. Urine is collected over a 24 hour period and is sent to the laboratory for testing. The most common reason for measuring uric acid levels is in the diagnosis or treatment of gout, because gout results from crystallization of uric acid crystals in joints. Some kidney stones are also composed of uric acid.
Uric acid test
illustration
-
Uric acid crystals - illustration
These spiked rods are uric acid crystals photographed under polarized light. Increased uric acid blood levels and formation of uric acid crystals in the joints are associated with gout.
Uric acid crystals
illustration
-
Kidney stones
(In-Depth)
-
Gout
(In-Depth)
-
Kidney stones
(Alt. Medicine)
-
Heart failure
(In-Depth)
-
High blood pressure
(In-Depth)
-
Acute lymphocytic leukemia
(In-Depth)
Review Date: 8/29/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
