You may have just come from a doctor’s visit and are faced with the question of what is a uric acid test. Why is Uric acid so important to what the doctor is investigating? It’s very common for adults over the age of 50 to seek the answer to what is a uric acid test if there is suspicion of Gout being present. Their uric acid laboratory test levels may appear elevated and they may be showing physical symptoms that are parallel to what you would see in a classic Gout diagnosis. Before we get to the answer of what a uric acid blood test is, let us review some facts about Gout first.
Gout has epidemiological origins that stem from excessive amounts of uric acid in one’s body. This high concentration of uric acid in the body leads to the development of very small urate crystals that eventually get stored in various body tissues especially around joints. These urate crystals are responsible for causing a sharp recurring pain in joints. This pain that is experienced is very difficult to manage and is one of the most painful products of this disease that people suffer from. The consistent nature of these crystals being stored around joint areas has a damaging effect on joints and may also result to reduced functionality of a person’s kidneys or even formation of kidney stones. Kidney stones are a by product of the Gout condition. So now that we know what Gout is, let us explore what a uric acid test is.
Uric acid is produced by the breakdown of purines, chemicals that come from nucleic acids (DNA). They enter the circulation from digestion of foods or from normal metabolism in the body cells. Uric acid is removed by the kidneys and expulsed in the urine and also excreted in the feces. The excessive presence of uric acid in blood can cause the condition called gout – an inflammation that occurs in joints when crystals derived from uric acid form in the joint fluid. Common reasons for accumulation of uric acid are an inherited tendency to overproduce uric acid or decrease kidney function that results in low ability to excrete uric acid. Its concentration is measured by means of analysis of a blood sample drawn from the vein in the arm.
The purpose of the uric acid test is to detect high levels of uric acid in blood, which could be a sign of the condition gout, or to monitor uric acid levels when undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment. It is prescribed when monitoring certain chemotherapy or radiation therapies for cancer or when there are symptoms of gout such as joint pain. The uric acid test is used to learn whether the body might be breaking down cells too quickly or not getting rid of uric acid quickly enough. The test also is used to monitor levels of uric acid when a patient has had chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Normal Reference range values for the uric acid test are measured in mg/dL or SI: mmol/L = 0.059 x mg/dL. Males should fall between 3.7 – 8.6 and Females should fall between 2.4 – 5.8.
As you can see the uric acid test covers a great deal of information. What if you want to order the uric acid test without a visit to your doctor? Not only can you get you answers to What is a Uric Acid Test from this website, you can also find out where you can get a uric acid test. Lab Test Portal can provide you with direct to consumer online blood testing without the need of visiting your doctor. Their prices are very affordable and the service and response times are very remarkable. So now the next time someone asks you what is a uric acid test, you can direct them to www.LabTestPortal.com and they can get a wealth of testing information on the blood glucose test as well as purchase the test for $25 and get their lab results within 48 hours or less.