High Uric Acid: What It Means and What to Do Next
High uric acid (hyperuricemia) means there is more of this waste product in your blood than your kidneys are clearing. Reference ranges vary by lab and by sex, so go by the range printed on your report; above about 6.8 mg/dL, uric acid can start to form crystals. Common causes are diet (red meat, organ meats, shellfish, beer and sugary drinks), excess weight and insulin resistance, reduced kidney function and diuretic medications. High uric acid is the main risk factor for gout and some kidney stones, but most people with a high level never get gout, and a high level without symptoms is usually not treated with medication.
What Causes High Uric Acid?
Diet
Red meat, organ meats such as liver, shellfish and some fish (anchovies, sardines) are high in purines, which the body breaks down into uric acid. Sugary drinks and foods high in fructose also raise it.
Alcohol
Beer is the strongest culprit because it is high in purines, but spirits raise uric acid too. Alcohol also slows how much the kidneys excrete.
Excess Weight and Insulin Resistance
Obesity, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome are closely linked to high uric acid, partly because high insulin makes the kidneys hold on to it.
Reduced Kidney Function
The kidneys clear about two-thirds of the body's uric acid, so chronic kidney disease commonly raises it.
Medications
Diuretics (water pills such as hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide) are a common cause. Low-dose aspirin, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, niacin and some tuberculosis drugs can also raise it.
Dehydration, Fasting and Keto Diets
Not drinking enough, fasting, crash diets and very low-carb diets raise uric acid for a while, and can trigger a gout flare.
Genetics
Many people with high uric acid simply excrete less of it, an inherited trait. Gout often runs in families.
Rapid Cell Turnover
Psoriasis, some blood cancers and chemotherapy break down many cells at once, releasing purines. An underactive thyroid can also raise uric acid.
Associated Symptoms
What to Do Next
1. Retest to confirm
A single abnormal result should be confirmed with a repeat test. Temporary factors like stress, illness, or medications can affect results.
2. Related tests to consider
3. When to see a doctor
If your Uric Acid is significantly abnormal, if you have severe symptoms, or if repeated results confirm the abnormality, consult a healthcare professional for appropriate evaluation and treatment.
Related Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider for interpretation of your results.
Content reviewed for accuracy by the JustLabs editorial team.