Top 5 Things to Know About Uric Acid Blood Test
Jun 15, 2022
Uric acid is a waste product that should ideally be flushed out from the body by the kidneys through the urine. It is formed during the oxidation of a substance called purine, which is present in living cells and certain types of food like meat products, alcoholic beverages, organ meats like liver, seafood, and shellfish.
Most uric acid dissolves in blood and exits in urine. However, there may be instances where the body produces excessive quantities of uric acid and does not release enough of it in the urine, resulting in crystal-like formation in the joints and causing inflammation and severe pain around them. High uric acid levels in the body lead to gout, arthritic conditions, kidney stones, and kidney damage.
In this article, we cover five important facts about uric acid blood tests.
A Uric Acid Test Can Be Done for a Host of Symptoms
Your doctor will order a uric acid test when you show symptoms of gout like swollen, warm, and painful joints. You may have to take the test even when you show symptoms of kidney stones like shooting pain in the abdomen, or the back, urinary frequency, dysuria, blood in the urine, and malodorous urine. The doctor will examine the cause of frequent kidney stones, and regulate uric acid levels in people undergoing treatment for cancer.
It’s a Normal Blood Test
It is like any routine blood test where the technician will draw sample blood from a vein in your arm into a vial. For a uric acid blood test, you need no special preparations, except that you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the test or take any medication that could affect the test results.
You Don’t Have to Wait Too Long to Get the Results
The report usually arrives on the same day or may take a couple of days, depending on the testing center. If the results show high levels of uric acid in the blood, it is a condition called hyperuricemia.
High Uric Acid Levels Might Show Poor Kidney Function
The normal range lies between 3.5 to 7.2 mg/dL. High levels are anything beyond 6 mg/dL in women, and over 7 mg/dL in men. Blood test results showing high uric acid levels could indicate kidney ailments, consumption of a purine-rich diet, preeclampsia in women (a pregnancy complication), alcoholism, or reaction to cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiation can escalate uric acid levels in the blood).
It’s Not A Cause For Concern Always
High uric acid levels will not necessarily cause disease symptoms, which will not require any treatment. However, consult your healthcare provider for all medical guidelines and suggestions.
Uric Acid Blood Test Cost
Uric acid test cost in Kolkata could range anywhere between 100 – 250/- (INR), depending on the diagnostic center where you are getting tested.
AccuHealth Diagnostics is Kolkata’s leading healthcare system. We are a trusted name in delivering high-quality diagnostic tests across Kolkata. Book an online uric acid blood test with us today for a home collection. Get the fastest report delivery system through various modes at affordable pricing. Get in touch with us at one of our centers, visit us at https://www.accuhealthlabs.com/ , or call us with your inquiries at our toll-free number 1800-120-3877.
