Insight into your uric acid level.
Uric acid is a waste product formed when purines are broken down and leaves the body via the kidneys. The value is known from gout and is also linked to lifestyle and to the way your kidneys work.
Also known as: urate, serum urate, UA
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Background
What is uric acid?
Uric acid is the end product of the breakdown of purines, building blocks of genetic material found in every body cell and also present in food, for example in organ meat, some types of fish and beer. The body therefore produces part of its uric acid itself and takes in part through food. The kidneys excrete the great majority of it, the rest leaves the body through the gut.
The level of your uric acid is determined by the balance between production and excretion. If that balance shifts, uric acid can settle in joints as crystals, which can give the familiar gout attack. In addition, a higher value is associated in population research with overweight, high blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, and with the way the kidneys work. An association is not a cause: a value only acquires meaning in the context of your situation and your other values.
In brief
Breakdown product
End product of the breakdown of purines
Via the kidneys
The largest part is excreted by the kidneys
Gout
Crystals in a joint can trigger an attack
Lifestyle-sensitive
Alcohol, fructose and purine-rich food affect the value
This marker is also included in
Testing several values in a single draw takes one blood collection and gives a more complete picture. The choice is yours.
Common reasons to test
When can insight into your Uric acid be valuable?
Below are some situations in which measuring Uric acid can provide insight.
Insight into your uric acid
A test shows how much uric acid is circulating in your blood, as part of the picture of your metabolism and kidney function.
After earlier gout complaints
Those who have had a gout attack in the past have the value checked more often. If you do so in consultation with your treating doctor, this test fits that purpose.
Together with the kidney values
The kidneys excrete uric acid. The value therefore gains extra meaning alongside creatinine and the eGFR.
With attention for metabolic health
Uric acid is often viewed together with blood sugar, blood lipids and blood pressure as part of a broader metabolic picture.
With a purine-rich diet
Plenty of organ meat, shellfish, alcohol or fructose-rich drinks can affect the value. A test gives insight.
Tracking a value over time
If you change something in diet, weight or alcohol use, re-testing after a few months makes the effect on your value visible.
What your result means
Uric acid too high: what does your result mean?
Uric acid is measured in millimoles per litre (mmol/L). The laboratory states the reference values that apply there alongside your result; these differ between men and women, among other factors. The value fluctuates with food, alcohol use, fluid intake and weight change, and is therefore a snapshot.
A low value
A low uric acid rarely gives cause for concern in practice. It occurs with a purine-poor diet, with ample fluid intake and with the use of certain medicines, among other things. Our doctor provides explanation and context with your result.
A normal value
A uric acid within the laboratory's reference values gives a reassuring picture for this marker at this moment. It remains a snapshot: the value moves with food, alcohol and fluid intake. A value within the reference values does not rule out gout, because during an attack the uric acid can even turn out temporarily lower.
An elevated value
An elevated uric acid means more is being produced than is being excreted. This can be linked to food and alcohol, to overweight, to a shortage of fluid, to certain medicines such as diuretics, and to reduced excretion by the kidneys. An elevated value is not a diagnosis of gout: many people with an elevated value never have an attack, and the diagnosis is made in the consulting room based on the pattern of complaints. Our doctor explains what your value means and whether a repeat test or follow-up via your GP is customary.
How we interpret your result
Our doctors interpret your uric acid against the laboratory's reference values and your personal context, such as diet, alcohol use, weight, medication use, kidney values and any known conditions.
Related tests
Often combined with Uric acid.
A single marker gives one perspective. For a broader picture you can combine Uric acid with a theme package or related markers.
+ €29 blood draw fee per orderFree from €225
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know
Does an elevated uric acid mean I have gout?
No. An elevated value increases the chance that crystals settle, but many people with an elevated uric acid never have a gout attack. Conversely, during an attack the value can be normal or even lower. The diagnosis of gout is made in the consulting room, based on the pattern of complaints and sometimes joint examination.
Do I need to fast for a uric acid test?
Fasting is not strictly required, but it is advisable. A meal, alcohol and a low fluid intake can affect the value. A morning measurement, before breakfast, is the most comparable with a later measurement.
Which foods affect my uric acid?
Purine-rich products such as organ meat, game, some types of fish and shellfish increase production. Alcohol, beer in particular, and fructose-rich drinks also inhibit excretion. Dairy and sufficient water go together with a lower value. Our doctor places this in the context of your situation.
Does medication affect the result?
Yes. Diuretics and low doses of acetylsalicylic acid can raise the value, while medicines prescribed specifically for gout lower it. Mention your medication use during the intake, so that we assess your result in that context.
What does uric acid have to do with my kidneys?
The kidneys excrete the largest part of the uric acid. If filtration works less well, the value can rise without you producing more. That is why uric acid is best interpreted alongside creatinine and the eGFR.
Can I influence it through lifestyle?
Diet, alcohol use, weight and fluid intake demonstrably influence the level of your uric acid. How much difference that makes in your situation varies from person to person and is also linked to hereditary predisposition. With existing complaints or medication, coordination with your treating doctor is the starting point.
How often can I have this measured?
A single measurement is enough for initial insight. If you change something in diet, weight or alcohol use, re-testing after a few months is customary to see the effect. Our doctor advises on this with your result.
What do I do with my result?
You receive a PDF report with your value and a personal explanation from a doctor. What you do with it, such as discussing it with your GP, remains entirely your choice.
In the Health Guide
Read more about this value
Ready for insight into your uric acid?
You receive your uric acid level including personal explanation from a doctor, typically within 2 working days. No referral required.
Order Uric acid →Want to test multiple markers at once?
Combine Uric acid with other markers via Bloodworks Select. The blood draw and collection fee is charged once per order, and is waived from €225.
20,-
+ €29 blood draw fee+ €29 blood draw fee per order