What Is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines - natural substances found in many foods and in your body's own cells. Purines are released when cells die and are replaced, and when you digest certain foods such as red meat, organ meats, shellfish, and beer. The liver processes purines into uric acid, which then travels through the blood to the kidneys for excretion in urine.
At normal levels, uric acid acts as an antioxidant in the blood. However, when levels become too high (hyperuricaemia), uric acid can form sharp crystals that deposit in joints, causing gout - an intensely painful form of inflammatory arthritis. Chronically elevated uric acid is also linked to kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease.
Why Is Uric Acid Tested?
Your doctor or health professional may request a uric acid test to:
- Diagnose gout in patients with recurrent joint pain, particularly in the big toe
- Monitor uric acid levels in patients with known gout to guide treatment
- Investigate recurrent kidney stones - uric acid stones account for 5–10% of all kidney stones
- Assess kidney function as part of a broader metabolic panel
- Monitor patients on chemotherapy - tumour lysis syndrome can cause dangerous uric acid spikes
- Evaluate cardiovascular risk - elevated uric acid is an independent risk factor for heart disease
- Screen patients with metabolic syndrome, as hyperuricaemia is a common component
Normal Ranges
Uric acid is measured in µmol/L in the UK:
| Group | Normal Range (µmol/L) |
|---|---|
| Adult men | 200 – 430 |
| Adult women (pre-menopausal) | 140 – 360 |
| Adult women (post-menopausal) | 200 – 430 |
| Gout treatment target | Below 360 (below 300 for tophaceous gout) |
Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. Post-menopausal women have ranges similar to men due to the loss of oestrogen's uricosuric effect.
Check Your Uric Acid Levels at Home
The Core Health 45 includes Uric Acid testing along with 44 other biomarkers. Results in 2 working days with a free at-home phlebotomist visit.
View Core Health 45 →Causes of High Uric Acid
Elevated uric acid (hyperuricaemia) can result from:
- Diet: High intake of purine-rich foods (red meat, organ meats, shellfish, anchovies) and fructose-sweetened drinks
- Alcohol: Beer and spirits are particularly associated with raised uric acid - beer contains purines, and alcohol impairs uric acid excretion
- Obesity: Excess body fat increases uric acid production and reduces kidney excretion
- Kidney disease: Impaired kidney function reduces uric acid clearance
- Medications: Thiazide diuretics, low-dose aspirin, ciclosporin, and some chemotherapy drugs
- Metabolic syndrome: Insulin resistance impairs renal uric acid excretion
- Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid reduces uric acid clearance
- Tumour lysis syndrome: Rapid cell death during cancer treatment releases large quantities of purines
- Genetic factors: Some people naturally produce more uric acid or excrete less
- Dehydration: Concentrated blood raises uric acid levels
Causes of Low Uric Acid
Low uric acid (below 140 µmol/L) is uncommon but may indicate:
- Liver disease: Reduced purine metabolism leads to less uric acid production
- Fanconi syndrome: A rare kidney tubule disorder that causes excessive uric acid excretion
- Wilson's disease: Copper accumulation affects kidney handling of uric acid
- SIADH: Dilutional effect from fluid retention
- Very low-purine diet: Extremely restrictive diets may lower production
- Medications: Allopurinol, febuxostat, losartan, and high-dose salicylates lower uric acid
How to Manage Your Uric Acid Levels
- Limit purine-rich foods: Reduce red meat, organ meats, shellfish, and game to 1–2 servings per week
- Stay well hydrated: Aim for 2–3 litres of water daily - adequate hydration promotes uric acid excretion
- Reduce alcohol intake: Particularly beer and spirits; moderate wine consumption has less effect
- Avoid fructose-sweetened drinks: Fructose metabolism increases uric acid production
- Maintain a healthy weight: Gradual weight loss reduces uric acid, but crash diets can temporarily spike it
- Eat cherries and berries: Studies show tart cherry consumption can reduce gout flare frequency
- Choose low-fat dairy: Milk and yoghurt have a uricosuric effect (promote uric acid excretion)
- Drink coffee: Regular coffee consumption is associated with lower uric acid levels
- Consider vitamin C: 500mg daily may modestly reduce uric acid levels
When Should You Get Tested?
Consider testing your uric acid levels if you:
- Experience recurrent joint pain, especially in the big toe, ankle, or knee
- Have a history of gout and need to monitor treatment effectiveness
- Have had kidney stones, particularly uric acid stones
- Have a family history of gout or hyperuricaemia
- Are overweight with metabolic syndrome features (high blood pressure, high triglycerides, insulin resistance)
- Are on medications that may raise uric acid (diuretics, low-dose aspirin)
- Are undergoing cancer treatment (risk of tumour lysis syndrome)
Which Lola Health Tests Include Uric Acid?
Uric acid is measured in several Lola Health blood test panels:
- Peak Insights - our most comprehensive panel including uric acid, kidney function, and 70+ biomarkers
- Vital Check — includes metabolic markers with uric acid
- Core Health — essential health screening including uric acid
Check Your Uric Acid Levels
Get a comprehensive blood test from Lola Health with GP-certified results and personalised recommendations. All tests use venous blood draws for medical-grade accuracy.
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This biomarker is included in our Uric Acid Test and Liver & Kidney Function — results in 2-3 working days with GP-reviewed insights.
At-Home Blood Testing
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