Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCriteriaSymptomsCausesTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Criteria
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Uric acid is a waste product found in urine. If your body makes too much or doesn’t eliminate enough of it, uric acid levels can become too high—a condition known ashyperuricemia. High uric acid levels can lead to symptoms and eventually conditions likegoutandkidney disease.
Most uric acid is produced naturally in your body. The rest is converted from substances in certain foods calledpurines. If you’re diagnosed with hyperuricemia, changes to what you eat and drink may help you bring your uric acid levels back down to normal.
This article looks at hyperuricemia, its causes, and symptoms. It also discusses possible treatment.
What Uric Acid Level Indicates Hyperuricemia?
A uric acid level of 6.8 mg/dl or higher means you have hyperuricemia.A normal serum urate level for assigned females is 1.5 to 6.0 mg/dL. For assigned males, it is 2.5 to 7.0 mg/dL.
Most uric acid dissolves in the blood. From there, it travels to thekidneysto be excreted in urine. Aserum uric acid blood testmeasures the amount of uric acid in your blood. Your uric acid level can also be checked with aurine sample.
Symptoms of Hyperuricemia
Hyperuricemia itself is not a disease. In some cases, it does not cause symptoms or problems. Still, long-term hyperuricemia may lead to the development of uric acid crystals. These can be problematic.
High uric acid levels can result in gout or kidney disease. These are the two most common conditions related to hyperuricemia.
Gout
With gout, uric acid crystals build up in the joints. This causes inflammation and the breakdown of joint cartilage.
Symptoms of gout include:
Verywell / Emily Roberts
All About Gout Crystals
Kidney Stones
Uric acid crystals can also be deposited in the kidneys. This causeskidney stoneswhich can be very painful. If left untreated, they can block the urinary tract and cause infections.
Symptoms of kidney stones include:
Kidney stones can also cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). This is because they harbor bacteria.Symptoms of a UTI are similar to those of kidney stones. There may also be fever or chills.
Over time, kidney stones and other forms of kidney damage can lead to chronic kidney disease. This makes it more difficult to get rid of uric acid.
Untreated kidney disease can lead to kidney failure or loss of kidney function.
What Causes High Uric Acid?
The primary risk factors for developing hyperuricemia include:
Studies in the U.S. and New Zealand found that people of African, Maori, or Filipino ancestry are at higher risk than people of European ancestry.
Other risk factors include:
Hyperuricemia Treatment
If you don’t have symptoms, you don’t necessarily need to treat your high uric acid levels. When hyperuricemia symptoms are present, a change in diet may help. Medication is typically prescribed for cases of gout.
Diet Changes
Eating foodslow in purinesmay help regulate hyperuricemia levels.
AvoidOrgan meats, meat extracts, and gravySardines, anchovies, shellfish, and tunaBeer and other alcoholic beveragesSugary foods and beverages, such as soda, that contain high-fructose corn syrupChooseMilk and milk productsEggsLettuce, tomatoes, and green vegetablesCream soups without meat stockPeanut butter and nutsCitrus fruits like lemons and oranges
AvoidOrgan meats, meat extracts, and gravySardines, anchovies, shellfish, and tunaBeer and other alcoholic beveragesSugary foods and beverages, such as soda, that contain high-fructose corn syrup
Organ meats, meat extracts, and gravy
Sardines, anchovies, shellfish, and tuna
Beer and other alcoholic beverages
Sugary foods and beverages, such as soda, that contain high-fructose corn syrup
ChooseMilk and milk productsEggsLettuce, tomatoes, and green vegetablesCream soups without meat stockPeanut butter and nutsCitrus fruits like lemons and oranges
Milk and milk products
Eggs
Lettuce, tomatoes, and green vegetables
Cream soups without meat stock
Peanut butter and nuts
Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges
Drinkplenty of watereach day. This will help the kidneys flush out uric acid. Some studies suggest drinking coffee on a regular basis can help prevent gout.If dietary changes don’t control your hyperuricemia levels, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications.
How to Lower Uric Acid With or Without Medication
High Uric Acid Medicine
Urate-lowering therapies are the preferred medication for most individuals with gout. Options include:
How Gout Is Treated
Summary
Hyperuricemia occurs when you produce too much uric acid or can’t eliminate enough of it. Getting older and being an assigned male are the two major risk factors for this condition.
Hyperuricemia can lead to gout, when uric acid crystals build up in the joints. It can also cause uric acid crystals to form in the kidneys. Over time, this may lead to kidney disease.
A diet low in purines may help control uric acid levels. Foods that are low in purines include milk, eggs, nuts, and citrus fruits. If you can’t control your hyperuricemia with diet, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication.
A Word From Verywell
Knowing your uric acid level is just as important as knowing your cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have sore joints or frequent urinary tract infections. If you’ve had attacks of gout, you should have your uric acid levels tested. You’ll need to test every six months to ensure that your levels stay under 6.0 mg/dl.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIn a study, individuals who drank two freshly squeezed lemons in their water per day had a decreased uric acid level when rechecked after six weeks.No. Urea is a waste product made when protein is broken down. Uric acid is a waste product created when the body breaks down chemicals called purines.Learn MoreTesting for High Urea
In a study, individuals who drank two freshly squeezed lemons in their water per day had a decreased uric acid level when rechecked after six weeks.
No. Urea is a waste product made when protein is broken down. Uric acid is a waste product created when the body breaks down chemicals called purines.Learn MoreTesting for High Urea
No. Urea is a waste product made when protein is broken down. Uric acid is a waste product created when the body breaks down chemicals called purines.
Learn MoreTesting for High Urea
Gout Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vargas-Santos AB, Neogi T.Management of gout and hyperuricemia in CKD.Am J Kidney Dis. 2017;70(3):422-439. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2017.01.055Maiuolo J, Oppedisano F, Gratteri S, Muscoli C, Mollace V.Regulation of uric acid metabolism and excretion.Int J Cardiol. 2016;213:8-14. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.08.109Ekpenyong CE, Clement IU, Edet CE.Risk factors for undiagnosed hyperuricemia and gout: influence of personal characteristics, life style and cardio-metabolic status: a cross sectional study.Eur J Clin Biomed Sci. 2019;5(2):27. doi:10.11648/j.ejcbs.20190502.11U.S. National Library of Medicine.Kidney Stones.Schwaderer AL, Wolfe AJ.The association between bacteria and urinary stones.Ann Transl Med. 2017;5(2):32. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.11.73Macfarlane LA, Kim SC.Gout: a review of nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(4):581-604. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.002Jakše B, Jakše B, Pajek M, Pajek J.Uric acid and plant-based nutrition.Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1736. doi:10.3390/nu11081736Li R, Yu K, Li C.Dietary factors and risk of gout and hyperuricemia: a meta-analysis and systematic review.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(6):1344-1356. doi:10.6133/apjcn.201811_27(6).0022Cleveland Clinic.Gout Management and Treatment.Biernatkaluza E, Schlesinger N.SAT0318 lemon juice reduces serum uric acid level via alkalization of urine in gouty and hyperuremic patients-a pilot study.Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases2015;74:774. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.5147Additional ReadingArthritis Foundation.Gout Diet: Do’s and Dont’s.Diffen.Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vargas-Santos AB, Neogi T.Management of gout and hyperuricemia in CKD.Am J Kidney Dis. 2017;70(3):422-439. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2017.01.055Maiuolo J, Oppedisano F, Gratteri S, Muscoli C, Mollace V.Regulation of uric acid metabolism and excretion.Int J Cardiol. 2016;213:8-14. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.08.109Ekpenyong CE, Clement IU, Edet CE.Risk factors for undiagnosed hyperuricemia and gout: influence of personal characteristics, life style and cardio-metabolic status: a cross sectional study.Eur J Clin Biomed Sci. 2019;5(2):27. doi:10.11648/j.ejcbs.20190502.11U.S. National Library of Medicine.Kidney Stones.Schwaderer AL, Wolfe AJ.The association between bacteria and urinary stones.Ann Transl Med. 2017;5(2):32. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.11.73Macfarlane LA, Kim SC.Gout: a review of nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(4):581-604. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.002Jakše B, Jakše B, Pajek M, Pajek J.Uric acid and plant-based nutrition.Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1736. doi:10.3390/nu11081736Li R, Yu K, Li C.Dietary factors and risk of gout and hyperuricemia: a meta-analysis and systematic review.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(6):1344-1356. doi:10.6133/apjcn.201811_27(6).0022Cleveland Clinic.Gout Management and Treatment.Biernatkaluza E, Schlesinger N.SAT0318 lemon juice reduces serum uric acid level via alkalization of urine in gouty and hyperuremic patients-a pilot study.Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases2015;74:774. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.5147Additional ReadingArthritis Foundation.Gout Diet: Do’s and Dont’s.Diffen.Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vargas-Santos AB, Neogi T.Management of gout and hyperuricemia in CKD.Am J Kidney Dis. 2017;70(3):422-439. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2017.01.055Maiuolo J, Oppedisano F, Gratteri S, Muscoli C, Mollace V.Regulation of uric acid metabolism and excretion.Int J Cardiol. 2016;213:8-14. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.08.109Ekpenyong CE, Clement IU, Edet CE.Risk factors for undiagnosed hyperuricemia and gout: influence of personal characteristics, life style and cardio-metabolic status: a cross sectional study.Eur J Clin Biomed Sci. 2019;5(2):27. doi:10.11648/j.ejcbs.20190502.11U.S. National Library of Medicine.Kidney Stones.Schwaderer AL, Wolfe AJ.The association between bacteria and urinary stones.Ann Transl Med. 2017;5(2):32. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.11.73Macfarlane LA, Kim SC.Gout: a review of nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(4):581-604. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.002Jakše B, Jakše B, Pajek M, Pajek J.Uric acid and plant-based nutrition.Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1736. doi:10.3390/nu11081736Li R, Yu K, Li C.Dietary factors and risk of gout and hyperuricemia: a meta-analysis and systematic review.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(6):1344-1356. doi:10.6133/apjcn.201811_27(6).0022Cleveland Clinic.Gout Management and Treatment.Biernatkaluza E, Schlesinger N.SAT0318 lemon juice reduces serum uric acid level via alkalization of urine in gouty and hyperuremic patients-a pilot study.Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases2015;74:774. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.5147
Vargas-Santos AB, Neogi T.Management of gout and hyperuricemia in CKD.Am J Kidney Dis. 2017;70(3):422-439. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2017.01.055
Maiuolo J, Oppedisano F, Gratteri S, Muscoli C, Mollace V.Regulation of uric acid metabolism and excretion.Int J Cardiol. 2016;213:8-14. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.08.109
Ekpenyong CE, Clement IU, Edet CE.Risk factors for undiagnosed hyperuricemia and gout: influence of personal characteristics, life style and cardio-metabolic status: a cross sectional study.Eur J Clin Biomed Sci. 2019;5(2):27. doi:10.11648/j.ejcbs.20190502.11
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Kidney Stones.
Schwaderer AL, Wolfe AJ.The association between bacteria and urinary stones.Ann Transl Med. 2017;5(2):32. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.11.73
Macfarlane LA, Kim SC.Gout: a review of nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(4):581-604. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.002
Jakše B, Jakše B, Pajek M, Pajek J.Uric acid and plant-based nutrition.Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1736. doi:10.3390/nu11081736
Li R, Yu K, Li C.Dietary factors and risk of gout and hyperuricemia: a meta-analysis and systematic review.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(6):1344-1356. doi:10.6133/apjcn.201811_27(6).0022
Cleveland Clinic.Gout Management and Treatment.
Biernatkaluza E, Schlesinger N.SAT0318 lemon juice reduces serum uric acid level via alkalization of urine in gouty and hyperuremic patients-a pilot study.Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases2015;74:774. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.5147
Arthritis Foundation.Gout Diet: Do’s and Dont’s.Diffen.Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism.
Arthritis Foundation.Gout Diet: Do’s and Dont’s.
Diffen.Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism.
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