Overview
Uric acid is the final product of purine metabolism in humans. Purines, compounds that are vital components of nucleic acids and coenzymes, may be synthesized in the body or they may be obtained by ingesting foods rich in nucleic material (eg, liver, sweetbreads). Approximately 75% of the uric acid excreted is lost in the urine; most of the remainder is secreted into the gastrointestinal tract where it is degraded to allantoin and other compounds by bacterial enzymes. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is frequently detected through biochemical screening. The major causes of hyperuricemia are increased purine synthesis, inherited metabolic disorder, excess dietary purine intake, increased nucleic acid turnover, malignancy, cytotoxic drugs, and decreased excretion due to chronic renal failure or increased renal reabsorption. Long-term follow-up of these patients is undertaken because many are at risk of developing renal disease; few of these patients ever develop the clinical syndrome of gout. Hypouricemia, often defined as serum urate below 2.0 mg/dL, is much less common than hyperuricemia. It may be secondary to severe hepatocellular disease with reduced purine synthesis, defective renal tubular reabsorption, overtreatment of hyperuricemia with allopurinol, as well as some cancer therapies (eg, 6-mercaptopurine).
What is Uric Acid ?
Uric acid is the final product of purine metabolism in humans. Purines, compounds that are vital components of nucleic acids and coenzymes, may be synthesized in the body or they may be obtained by ingesting foods rich in nucleic material (eg, liver, sweetbreads). Approximately 75% of the uric acid excreted is lost in the urine; most of the remainder is secreted into the gastrointestinal tract where it is degraded to allantoin and other compounds by bacterial enzymes. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is frequently detected through biochemical screening. The major causes of hyperuricemia are increased purine synthesis, inherited metabolic disorder, excess dietary purine intake, increased nucleic acid turnover, malignancy, cytotoxic drugs, and decreased excretion due to chronic renal failure or increased renal reabsorption. Long-term follow-up of these patients is undertaken because many are at risk of developing renal disease; few of these patients ever develop the clinical syndrome of gout. Hypouricemia, often defined as serum urate below 2.0 mg/dL, is much less common than hyperuricemia. It may be secondary to severe hepatocellular disease with reduced purine synthesis, defective renal tubular reabsorption, overtreatment of hyperuricemia with allopurinol, as well as some cancer therapies (eg, 6-mercaptopurine).
What is the Cost of Uric Acid
The Price of a Uric Acid Test is Rs. 180. However, cost of the test may fluctuate depending on following factors:
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Other tests advised along with Uric Acid Test
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Offers or discounts
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Empanelment of the patient
What is the Purpose of the Uric Acid ?
The test's objectives are to find elevated blood uric acid levels, which may indicate gout, or to track uric acid levels during cancer treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. In order to identify the etiology of kidney stones and to keep an eye on gout patients who may develop kidney stones, it is also used to identify elevated uric acid levels in the urine.
When is the Uric Acid Recommended ?
If you have following symptoms, then Uric Acid Test is advised:
Have symptoms of gout:
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Intense pain in one joint at a time
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Swelling
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Redness
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Feeling warm
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Most commonly affects the big toe, but may also affect other toes, ankle, or knee
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Had or are having certain types of Cancer treatments:
These treatments can raise uric acid levels due to rapid cell breakdown.
Have symptoms of a kidney stone:
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Sharp pain in your lower abdomen, side, groin, or back
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Blood in your urine
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Frequent urge to urinate
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Not being able to urinate at all or only urinating a little bit
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Pain when urinating
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Cloudy or bad-smelling urine
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Nausea and vomiting
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Fever and chills
Preparation for Uric Acid
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Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, there is no need for you to make any special preparations before the uric acid test.
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Other blood tests can be carried out in addition to a Uric Acid Test. If your doctor advises you to have multiple tests at once, they may ask you to fast for a specific period of time prior to a blood test.
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Drink adequate water before sample collection.
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Avoid vigorous physical activity before the sample collection.
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Follow the preparatory instructions as guided by your doctor.