On your blood result it says: uric acid raised. No pain, no attack, and yet a value outside the lines. The first question is usually: does this mean I will get gout? The short answer: not necessarily, but it is a value worth understanding.
A high uric acid is often a signal that reaches further than your joints. It is linked to your lifestyle and your metabolism.
What is uric acid?
Uric acid is a waste product formed in the breakdown of purines, building blocks found in your own cells and in certain foods. Normally your body excretes uric acid via your kidneys. Make too much, or have your kidneys excrete it less well, and the value in your blood rises.
A raised uric acid in itself gives no symptoms. Many men carry it for years without knowing. Only when uric acid deposits as crystals can it cause a gout attack. The broader story is in our pillar on gout and uric acid in men.
Why is my uric acid too high?
The causes are usually a sum. Heredity plays a big role, but lifestyle and your weight count too. In men the uric acid sits higher on average than in women.
| Possible cause | How it plays in |
|---|---|
| Hereditary tendency | Some people make more or excrete less |
| Alcohol, especially beer | Can clearly drive uric acid up |
| Overweight | Goes together with a higher uric acid |
| Sugary drinks | Fructose can raise production |
| Kidney function | Poorer excretion lets the value rise |
Because the kidneys excrete uric acid, a doctor sometimes also looks at your creatinine and kidney values. You will find uric acid itself as an individual marker: uric acid.
How bad is a raised uric acid?
A slightly raised uric acid without symptoms is usually no reason for panic. Many men with a high value never get gout. But the higher and the longer, the greater the chance of crystals and so of an attack. It is a risk factor, not a diagnosis.
In addition, a high uric acid often goes together with overweight, high blood pressure and a disturbed sugar balance. So it can be a useful signal to look more broadly at your metabolic health.
What can you do about it?
The Voedingscentrum points out that cutting back on alcohol, especially beer, and on sugary drinks can help lower your uric acid. Losing weight if you are overweight often has an effect, as does drinking enough water so your kidneys can excrete it.
A strict diet alone is rarely enough with genuine gout. How to approach your food smartly is in our piece on preventing gout with diet. With recurring symptoms, a doctor can consider medication that lowers uric acid structurally.
When to get your uric acid checked?
If you have had an attack that looks like gout, or it runs in your family, a check can make sense. The Metabolic Health Check measures your uric acid together with your sugar and fats. Always discuss an abnormal result with a doctor, because a single measurement is a snapshot.
Frequently asked questions
Can my uric acid be normal during a gout attack?
Yes, and that confuses many people. During an acute attack the uric acid in your blood can actually be normal or low, because it sits in the joint. A normal value at that moment does not rule out gout. That is why a doctor looks at the whole picture.
Does drinking water lower my uric acid?
Drinking enough helps your kidneys excrete uric acid, and can so contribute to a lower value. It is no miracle cure, but a simple basis. With genuine gout it is an addition to other steps, not the whole solution.
Should I worry about a one-off high uric acid?
A one-off slightly raised uric acid without symptoms is usually no reason for panic. Often a doctor wants to repeat the value to see whether it is lasting. The trend over time and your other values together say more than a single measurement.
Sources
- Thuisarts.nl. I have a raised uric acid.
- Voedingscentrum. Gout and nutrition.
- NHG (Dutch College of General Practitioners). NHG guideline Arthritis (gout).
Disclaimer
Caliberhealth works with BIG-registered doctors who review your blood results. This article provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice from a GP or specialist. A blood test is a tool, not a diagnosis in itself. For serious or persistent symptoms, contact your GP, or call 112 in an emergency.
Autor
