To Find the Cause of a High Level
If an earlier blood test showed a high uric acid level, the test can help your provider work out why. Your body may be making too much uric acid, or your kidneys may not be removing enough.
AI Summary A uric acid test measures uric acid in blood or in urine collected over 24 hours, and helps find the cause of a high level, monitor gout, and check for kidney stones.
Source: www.liverdirectory.com
Uric Acid Test
Medically Reviewed.
Uric acid forms when your body breaks down substances called purines. Most of it dissolves in your blood and leaves through your kidneys in urine. A uric acid test measures how much is in your blood, or in urine collected over 24 hours.
Doctors use it to look for the cause of a high level, to monitor gout, and to check for kidney stones. It is not a liver function test. Your care team reads it together with your other results.
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PURINES AND KIDNEY HEALTH
What Is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a chemical your body makes when it breaks down substances called purines. Most uric acid dissolves in your blood, travels to your kidneys, and leaves your body in urine.
Trouble starts when your body makes too much uric acid or does not remove enough of it. A high level is called hyperuricemia. It can lead to gout or kidney damage.
A blood test measures the uric acid in a blood sample. A uric acid urine test measures the amount in your urine, and it usually needs a 24-hour collection.
Uric acid does not show how well your liver works. It sits with the metabolic blood tests on LiverDirectory because many people with fatty liver disease also have other metabolic conditions that their care team checks.
Uric Acid at a Glance
- What it is: A blood or 24-hour urine test that measures uric acid, a chemical formed when the body breaks down purines.
- Why it is ordered: To find the cause of a high level, monitor gout, and check for kidney stones.
- High level: Called hyperuricemia. It can lead to gout or kidney damage.
- What affects results: Aspirin, NSAIDs, water pills, alcohol, vitamin C, and X-ray dye. Tell your provider what you take.
- Liver link: Not a liver function test.
Source: www.liverdirectory.com
REASONS FOR TESTING
Why Your Doctor Might Order a Uric Acid Test
The test answers a specific question about how your body handles uric acid. Your provider decides which sample fits that question.
To Monitor Gout and Guide Treatment
Providers use the test to follow people who have gout. The result also helps them choose the best medicine to lower the uric acid level in the blood.
To Check for Kidney Stones
A 24-hour urine test can show whether a high uric acid level in your urine is causing kidney stones. A high level in the body can also lead to kidney damage, which is one more reason providers track it.
BLOOD AND URINE SAMPLES
What Happens During a Uric Acid Test
The test uses either a blood sample or urine collected over 24 hours. Here is how each part usually goes.
- Ask how to prepare. Fasting (no food or drink) may be needed if other blood tests are done at the same time, so check with your provider.
- Tell your provider about every medicine you take. They may ask you to stop some temporarily. Do not stop any medicine on your own.
- For a blood test, you sit or lie down. A clinician ties a strap around your upper arm, cleans the skin inside your elbow, and inserts a fine needle into a vein. You feel a brief pinch.
- The draw takes a few minutes. The clinician removes the needle, presses on the spot, and covers it with a bandage. Gentle pressure for 3 to 5 minutes helps prevent bruising.
- For a urine test, you collect all your urine for 24 hours. Follow your provider's instructions exactly.
- The lab analyzes your sample. Your doctor receives the results and contacts you.
Tell the clinician if you feel dizzy or light-headed. This is more likely when you have fasted.
READING YOUR LAB REPORT
How Uric Acid Results Are Explained
Reference ranges differ from lab to lab, so compare your number with the range printed on your own report.
| What you see | What it can mean | What may happen next |
|---|---|---|
| Within the lab's reference range | Your uric acid level sits where the lab expects it to be. | Your provider reads the result with your symptoms and other tests. |
| Above the range (hyperuricemia) | Your body may make too much uric acid or remove too little. A high level can lead to gout or kidney damage. | Your provider looks for the cause and may discuss treatment to lower the level. |
| High uric acid in a 24-hour urine sample | A high level in urine may be causing kidney stones. | Your provider may check whether uric acid is behind the stones. |
| A result that seems out of line | Aspirin, gout medicines, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, water pills, alcohol, vitamin C, and X-ray dye can affect results. | Tell your provider everything you take or drink. They may repeat the test. |
A single result is a snapshot. Your provider uses it alongside your history and other tests.
LIVER AND METABOLIC HEALTH
Uric Acid and Your Liver
Uric acid is not a liver test, but it often comes up in the same visits as liver care.
Fatty Liver and Metabolic Risk
Fatty liver disease (MASLD) is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal blood fats. Uric acid is not used to diagnose MASLD, so your provider may order it to look at your broader health. Learn more on the [Fatty Liver Disease](/liver-diseases/metabolic-liver-diseases#fatty-liver-disease) page.
Medicines That Affect Results
Water pills (diuretics) can affect uric acid results. People with cirrhosis and fluid buildup (ascites) often take them. Tell your provider about every medicine you use, and do not stop any without asking first.
Alcohol and Sugary Drinks
Alcohol can affect uric acid test results. It also helps to cut back on sugary drinks, which are high in fructose. The liver processes fructose, and it promotes fat production. Both choices matter for liver health too.
FOLLOW-UP CARE
What to Do After a Uric Acid Test
Review the Result with Your Provider
Ask what your number means for you. Your provider may repeat the test or add other tests, such as kidney tests, before deciding on any treatment.
Share Your Medicine and Drink List
Aspirin, gout medicines, NSAIDs, water pills, alcohol, vitamin C, and X-ray dye can affect results. Bring a full list so your provider can read your result correctly.
Ask About Diet and Follow-Up
If your level is high, ask your provider about food and drink changes that fit both your uric acid level and your liver. Keep your follow-up visits and lab appointments.
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Common Question
Answers to Common Uric Acid Questions
What Does a High Uric Acid Level Mean?
A high level is called hyperuricemia. It means your body may be making too much uric acid, or it may not be removing enough of it. Uric acid forms when your body breaks down purines. Most of it dissolves in your blood, travels to your kidneys, and leaves in urine. When that process falls behind, the level rises. A high level can lead to gout or kidney damage. One result does not give the full picture, so your provider looks for the cause and reads the number together with your symptoms and other tests.
Is Uric Acid a Liver Test?
No. Uric acid does not measure how well your liver works. Liver function tests measure enzymes and proteins such as ALT, AST, and albumin. A uric acid test looks at how your body handles a chemical made from purines. It is listed with the metabolic tests because many people with fatty liver disease also have other metabolic conditions that their care team checks. Your provider may order it to look at your broader health, not to diagnose a liver problem.
Do I Need to Fast for a Uric Acid Test?
Ask your provider before the test. Fasting, which means no food or drink, may be needed if other blood tests are done at the same time. For a urine test, you usually collect all your urine for 24 hours. Follow your provider's collection instructions exactly so the result is accurate. If you fast, tell the clinician if you feel dizzy or light-headed during the blood draw.
Can My Medicines Change My Uric Acid Result?
Yes. Aspirin and medicines that contain aspirin, gout medicines, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, and water pills (diuretics) can affect results. So can alcohol, vitamin C, and X-ray dye. Tell your provider about everything you take or drink, including over-the-counter products. Your provider may ask you to pause a medicine before the test or repeat the test. Do not stop any medicine on your own before you talk to them.
What Is the Difference Between the Blood Test and the Urine Test?
The blood test measures the uric acid level in your blood from one sample. A clinician draws it from a vein, and it takes a few minutes. The urine test measures uric acid in all the urine you collect over 24 hours. Providers may use the urine test to check whether a high level of uric acid in your urine is causing kidney stones. Providers use either test to find the cause of a high level or to monitor gout. Your provider decides which sample fits your situation.
Medical disclaimer: LiverDirectory provides educational information and a directory of providers. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician regarding any medical condition.