Metabolic health
Uric acid
Serum urate
Included in Baseline and Complete.
Compare membershipsHow your body makes and clears uric acid.
Uric acid is a normal waste product made when your body breaks down purines, which come from your own cells and from some foods and drinks. Your kidneys clear it into your urine, so the level reflects both production and removal.
High uric acid doesn't always cause problems.
When uric acid builds up, it can form needle-shaped crystals in and around the joints, which causes gout, and it can contribute to kidney stones. Many people with high levels never develop gout, though.
Levels are shaped by diet (red meat, organ meats, some seafood, alcohol, and sugary drinks), kidney function, and medicines such as diuretics, low-dose aspirin, and niacin. For people with gout, guidelines use uric acid as the target that guides treatment over time.
Uric acid reflects both what you make and what your kidneys clear.
Questions
What does a high uric acid result mean?
It means your body is making more uric acid than usual, your kidneys are clearing less, or both. On its own, it doesn't mean you need treatment. Your clinician will consider symptoms like joint pain, your kidney results, your medicines, and your family history.
Can diet change my uric acid?
Diet plays a part. Purine-rich foods, alcohol, and drinks sweetened with fructose can raise levels. Your body also makes uric acid on its own, so diet is only part of the picture. 1:1 longevity coaching can help you decide which changes fit your results.