Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Uric acid

Table of Contents

Normal Values

Normal values fall between 3.0 and 7.0 mg/dL.

Note: Normal values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory.


What abnormal results mean

Greater-than-normal levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) may be due to:

  • Acidosis
  • Alcoholism
  • Diabetes
  • Gout
  • Hypoparathyroidism
  • Lead poisoning
  • Leukemia
  • Nephrolithiasis
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Renal failure
  • Toxemia of pregnancy
  • Purine-rich diet
  • Excessive exercise
  • Chemotherapy-related side effects

Lower-than-normal levels of uric acid may be due to:

  • Fanconi syndrome
  • Wilson's disease
  • Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion
  • Low purine diet

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

  • Chronic gouty arthritis
  • Injury of the kidney and ureter

Review Date: 05/07/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)