SERUM URIC ACID TEST
Dr. Pravallika DevisettiLast Updated on 11th February 2022Table of contents
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What exactly is it for?
The most popular applications of uric acid tests are:
- Diagnose gout.
- Find out the reason for frequent kidney stones.
- Check the level of Uric Acid in cancer patients. Uric acid is released into the bloodstream due to certain chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatments.
What's comprised in the Uric acids testing?
This test is a determination of Uric acid levels. The test for serum uric acid measures Uric Acid levels in the blood, and uric acid levels are determined with urine samples. In some cases, uric acid levels can be detected in breath exhaled, and Urinalysis tests aren’t routinely conducted. If you suffer from a health disease that may be the cause or be caused by excessive levels of Uric Acid being measured, it can prove beneficial. An excessive amount of uric acid may cause gout, which is why you’ll want to lower the level. To determine the amount of uric acid present in your blood, check for gout signs through a uric acid blood test.
Serum Uric Acid Test is also known as serum urate or UA.
How is the blood test for uric Acid carried out?
A uric test is ordinary standard testing of blood.
- Injections are typically given from a vein on the inside of the elbow or the side of the hand.
- The location from which blood is collected is cleaned first using an antiseptic.
- A band of elastic is put around your arm, allowing blood to flow into veins.
- Then the needle is introduced in the vein.
- The blood is then collected using tubes connected by a needle.
- After the blood is taken, the healthcare professional will remove the bandage and then remove the needle from the vein.
- Finally, they will press down on the area of the needle’s entry point and, if required, put an ounce of cotton wool or a bandage over the needle.
- The blood is then sent for analysis by a laboratory.
How do I get ready for the Acid exam?
A blood test for uric acid doesn’t require any special preparation. It may be necessary to fast for this test if paired with other tests requiring fasting.
Follow the instructions given by your health professional if you have any. Inform your doctor if you are taking any medication. Give a urine sample for 24 hours in the following order, and only after you have followed all instructions with care.
The things to take into consideration after the uric test is over
- A blood test for uric acids can assist you in determining the best treatment. You may not require treatment in all cases.
- A doctor might prescribe medication to lessen swelling and pain if you’re diagnosed with gout.
- The changes in your diet that cut down on the use of purines could help. Changes in your diet could help if you suffer from chronic kidney stones that Uric Acid causes.
- To make sure that your uric acid levels aren’t excessively during chemotherapy, you might require a regular test of your blood.
Physicians do tests for Uric Acid.
The levels of uric acid are measured in various methods. Various doctors carry out different kinds of uric acids tests, and doctors typically test the level of uric acids in urine or the blood.
Blood test
A blood test is a way to determine the number of uric acids in plasma or serum. The blood is taken from a vein within the upper arm of a medical expert.
A urine test
A sample for testing the level of uric acids in urine requires 24 hours of urine, and the test comes with a container to keep urine in for 24 hours. In addition, you’ll be taught how to take and store the urine sample. After a laboratory technician has collected a 24-hour sample, the sample is taken to the lab for analysis. In a urine sample, an individual collects all the urine they go through throughout the time.
The clinic will provide an empty container for patients to collect urine. When not being used, it is recommended to store the urine container away in a cool and cool location, like an air-conditioned refrigerator.
The samples are sent to the doctor’s laboratory once taken.
What types of illnesses or conditions do uric acid tests identify?
The low levels of uric acids in the blood aren’t common, and typically the low levels are found when people are taking medication that reduces the level of uric acids. Hyperglycemia (high uric acid levels) is generally not an issue to be concerned about.
If your results from a test have high levels of uric acids, this could mean you are suffering from any of the following conditions:
- Gout
- Purine-rich diet
- Kidney stone or kidney disorders
- Chemotherapy
- Leukemia
- Multiple Myeloma
- Treatment Side Effects
- Obesity
- Alcoholism
High or lower uric acid levels in urine could suggest kidney illness, lead poisoning, or excessive drinking. The levels of acid in urine can be reduced or increased by specific treatments, and the use of medications or dietary modifications can lower or increase urine acid levels. Contact your physician If you have any concerns about outcomes or treatments.
How much will the Uric Acid test cost?
As well as diagnosing gout, the Uric acid test Serum test can also be utilized to determine the cause of kidney stones and monitor uric acid levels in patients who are undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Serum Uric acid test can range between 150 and 320 INR, based on availability at your place of residence or other options that are better suitable to your requirements.
How long does it take to obtain the test results for Uric Acid?
4It is possible to receive the results of the uric test within 24-48 hours after the sample has been taken. In certain instances, dependent on the area, the medical advice, and the preferred lab partner, it might take longer.
What can unusual uric acid test results suggest?
Uric acid levels, which are unusual, could be due to one of the following causes:
- Wilson’s Disease, an acquired disorder that causes a copper build-up in the body’s tissues.
- A kidney disease caused by cystinosis
- It is associated with alcoholism.
- Damage to kidneys or the liver.
- Low purine diet
Is Uric Acid Test a definitive test?
No. Serum uric acid levels, when they are abnormal, will require further tests to determine the reason for the abnormality. Your doctor recommends additional tests on the symptoms you are experiencing. When your doctor suspects that you have gout and your uric acid levels have increased, it is often recommended to conduct additional tests such as the analysis of fluids from joints affected to look for uric acid crystals or imaging methods. Urinary acid tests aren’t typical blood tests. But, they can be helpful to test the level of uric acids in the event of an illness that is associated with excessive levels. High acid uric levels often cause gout, and it is necessary to reduce the amount. If you are experiencing symptoms of gout, then you should undergo a uric-acid blood test to determine
How do I interpret the uric analysis result?
The levels of uric acid can be different between females and males.
Normal Serum Uric acid levels for
- Females – 2.4-6.0 mg/dL
- Males – 3.4-7.0 mg/dL.
Levels may vary between labs. Uric acid levels that are low are more common than those with high levels. A blood uric acid concentration greater than 6.0 mg/dL for women and more than 7.0 mg/dL for men is hyperglycemia.
An elevated level of uric acids in your blood usually indicates that your kidneys aren’t taking enough uric acids from your body, or there’s excessive production of uric acids. Certain cancers and treatments can increase Uric acid levels in your body.
Why should you book a Uric acid test?
Additionally, if you are experiencing signs of gout, then you could need a uric test. Examples include:
- Joint swelling or pain, most commonly around the toes of the big ankle or knee
- Skin that is shiny, red around joints
- When there’s a sensation of temperature increase around the swollen joints
If you are experiencing kidney stone symptoms, you may also need this test. The symptoms are:
- The pain in your stomach(back, side or your stomach or the
- Pain in your back
- Urine in the urine with blood
- Urination urge that is increased often
- Urinary pain
- Urine that is cloudy or smells foul.
- With vomiting and nausea
In addition, you might require this test if you’re taking certain chemotherapy or radiation treatments to treat cancer. Treatments can trigger uric acid levels to increase, and a urine test may aid in monitoring levels and help manage them promptly. Be sure to get treatment before levels rising to too high.
Uric acid tests at home. How do you make it work?
The test for uric acids is like every other blood test. A technician from the lab visits your house when you schedule your test using the MFine application. The technician cleans the arm before inserting the needle connected to a syringe in an arm vein. The blood that is required is then injected into the vial. The technician in the lab then takes off the needle and puts the bandage or cotton wool over the puncture.
Risks related to uric acid blood tests.
There is no risk with these tests. Risks associated with uric acid blood tests are similar to those associated with any other blood test. It includes:
- Pain or discomfort at the point of puncture
- Hematomas, bruises, or bruising (blood clots beneath the skin)
- A small or insignificant amount of loss of blood
- Very rarely, you might feel fainting or dizziness.
- Hematomas, bruises, or bruises are an example of blood in the skin
- Resulting from puncture wounds.
It is important to seek medical attention when you experience bleeding following your blood tests. These conditions and other ones mentioned are not common, and neither is the case with this particular occurrence.
Is there any risk associated when you take a uric acid test?
In time, uric acids will build up within the body, leading to a condition known as hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can trigger the formation of crystals of uric acids (or the urate). In some instances, these crystals may settle in joints, causing gout, arthritis that is painful. The crystals may build up within the kidneys and create kidney stones in certain cases.
A high concentration of Uric Acid can cause permanent joint, bone, tissue damage, kidney diseases, and heart diseases if untreated. Research has also revealed a connection between high levels of uric acids and high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and Type 2 Diabetes.
What factors can influence the results of the measurement of uric acid?
The following factors can influence the results of your uric acid test:
- Alcohol
- Medicines like aspirin (Bufferin) and Ibuprofen (Motrin IB)
- Increase in Vitamin C levels
- Dye utilized in tests for image imaging, such as Dye X-rays
Tell your physician if you are taking any medication and supplements before taking the test. Inform your doctor of any prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements you take. A fast (refraining from drinking or eating) 4 hours before the test might be necessary.
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Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs
Does the technician from the lab come for the uric test sample collection?
Yes. The lab techs we employ are immunized. Additionally, they protect themselves with masks or gloves and often wash their hands after collecting samples.
Does MFine give an interpretation of the results, along with reports?
MFine offers the interpreter of the results along with the results. You can also get an appointment for a medical consultation at no cost with a physician to help you understand your results in a precise manner. Based on the findings, the doctor can also provide advice and prescribe medications in need.
What do I do to download my Uric Acid report?
- Login to MFine
- Log into your profile
- Click on Attachment and Reports
- Click on Lab Report to download
Are there any special offers running for the uric acid test?
Typically, you will be able to avail as much as a 50 percent discount on the uric test via MFine. However, the discount and price could differ based on your lab partner and location.
Do I have to restrict certain food items?
Yes. There are certain drinks or foods to avoid. Yeast, Chocolates, and alcoholic beverages, especially beer/vodka/whiskey, are best to be avoided, organ meats like liver, red meat, seafood like lobster/shrimp/anchovies/sardines, spinach, asparagus, peas (chickpeas/cowpeas), green peas, mushrooms, beans (soybeans or kidney beans), fast foods and whole pulses like chana/chole are to be consumed as limited as possible all toxic.
If my uric acid level is excessive, do you suggest not to take pulses at all?
Incorporating low-nitrogen pulses such as moong into your food (in moderation) does not be a reason to avoid all types of dals.
Is there any other illness that can trigger high levels of uric acids?
Conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus, Certain cancers, or radiation therapies such as hyperparathyroidism, leukemia, multiple myeloma, and kidney diseases can result in elevated uric acid levels.
What is the relation to gout with Acid?
Gout is a condition known as hyperglycemia (high amounts of uric acids). A prevalent kind of arthritis (inflammation of joints) is osteoarthritis due to uric acid crystals within joints. The most common affliction is older or middle-aged men and women who have undergone menopausal changes.
All the people with high levels of uric acid do not develop gout. There are a handful of individuals with high levels of uric acid, who are likely to develop gout or arthritis. The majority of people with high uric acid levels do not require treatment.
What is an acceptable Uric Acid level?
Normal Serum Uric acid levels for
Females – 2.4-6.0 mg/dL
Males – 3.4-7.0 mg/dL.
The levels can differ with different labs. Females’ normal urinary acid levels are 2.4-6.0 mg/dL. For males, it ranges from 3.4-7.0 mg/dL. The levels can differ based on the lab.
What could we do to control and avoid high uric acid concentrations?
To lower high levels of Uric Acid, doctors prescribe medicines like Allopurinol or Febuxostat.
In gout that causes joint pain and inflammation, The doctor may prescribe pain relief medications with uric acid-lowering medication.
There is a way to maintain the uric acid levels to the lower levels by following an appropriate lifestyle and eating habits.
In certain instances, patients will require long-term medication. Uric acid levels are controlled, and joint pain flares can be managed and prevented with the long-term management of Disease. Your physician can prescribe medication that dissolves the crystals of uric acids. Long-term lowering of urate levels may be needed, as well as medicines that help prevent flare-ups with gout and dissolve crystals already present.
What are the other options to manage high levels of uric acids are:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Beware of fast-food restaurants and sweetened drinks.
- Avoid purine-rich foods
- Regular exercise
- Vitamin C supplements can help.
- Ask a doctor or certified nutritionist for the best diet guidance. Exercise and diet and avoid foods high in fructose corn syrup, red meats, seafood, and alcohol-based drinks.
Should I need to study for the test?
There is no requirement to make any special preparations for a uric acid blood test. According to your health background, if your physician gives any directions, adhere to the instructions. Follow the instructions to provide your urine sample within the next 24 hours.