MOSCOW, September 30 – Novosti. A blood test is a universal study, the results of which can reveal various pathologies in the human body. One of the indicators that doctors are often interested in is the level of uric acid. How much uric acid should be in the blood of men and women, why it can be increased or decreased and how to bring it back to normal – in the Novosti material.
Uric acid
Essentially, uric acid is the final breakdown product of purines. Two-thirds of these organic compounds are formed inside the human body as a result of the natural death of old and damaged cells, the remaining third enters it from the outside, along with individual food products (primarily meat and its processed products, such as sausages, as well as legumes, liver and other by-products, etc.).
The process of formation of uric acid occurs in the liver, and for the fact that its excess leaves the body without a trace, the kidneys are responsible for 70 percent, and the rest is excreted by the intestines. It is noteworthy that despite its name, this compound can be detected not only in urine, but also in human blood. An appropriate analysis helps to identify it.
If the human body functions normally, then the level of uric acid in it fits within the limits considered normal and does not adversely affect the body. On the contrary: uric acid is involved in some important processes, for example, it helps fight free radicals, and also has a stimulating effect on the human brain and its nervous system as a whole.
“An increase in uric acid in the blood is not always a sign of pathology. With non-critical indicators slightly above the norm, it is recommended to review the diet and take an analysis in dynamics. Also, the level of uric acid rises (or falls) while taking various medications: diuretics, NSAIDs, steroids,” says Neya Georgieva, therapist, senior medical consultant at Teledoctor24.
Indications for analysis
As a rule, the doctor decides to prescribe an analysis to determine the level of uric acid in the blood if he has reason to suspect that the patient has kidney problems or, for example, gout and other joint diseases.
“The level of uric acid is monitored in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, as well as to identify the causes of the formation of kidney stones,” says Yulia Yarovaya, a gastroenterologist at the NaPopravku telemedicine online service.
So, gout often manifests itself as redness and pain in the joints (as a rule, this is the joint of 1 toe), as well as a violation of their mobility, and problems with the kidneys may indicate a change in the amount of urine or its color, as well as discomfort and even pain in the lower back.
Blood analysis
A biochemical blood test will help determine the level of uric acid. Material for the study is taken from a vein.
Preparation for analysis
A study on the level of uric acid in the blood does not require special preparation. It is enough to follow the standard recommendations that are relevant when conducting any blood tests.
So, blood from a vein is supposed to be taken on an empty stomach (the last meal is 8 hours before the expected test, while it is best to have dinner with light, low-fat meals and foods). The best time to take the test is from 8 am to 11 am, as the figures may change during the day.
“For 24 hours, you should give up alcohol and physical activity, 1-2 hours before the analysis, do not smoke, avoid physical exertion,” says Yulia Yarovaya. – 15 minutes before donating blood, you need to relax a little, calm down. A few days before the study, it is worth limiting or completely eliminating from the diet those foods that are high in purines.”
In the event that a person regularly takes certain medications, before taking the test, he needs to check with his doctor if they will affect the results of the study.
Deciphering the results
It is better to entrust the interpretation of the results of such a study (as well as any other tests) to a specialist, since a change in the level of uric acid in the blood is far from always a manifestation of a particular disease. While gout and other diseases traditionally associated with this indicator may not cause an increase or decrease in the level of uric acid in a person’s blood. Only a doctor is able to make a diagnosis based not only on the results of the analysis, but also on the data of a general examination and anamnesis.
Norm
The amount of uric acid in a person’s blood can vary both depending on gender and change throughout life along with age. For example, in men this indicator is usually higher than in women, since the representatives of the stronger sex are more characterized by heavy physical exertion and the amount of meat products in their diet is often higher.
In men
Normal indicators for men are considered to be a result that fits in the range from 210 µmol / l to 420 µmol / l.
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The norm of uric acid in the blood in women is approximately 150 to 350 µmol / l.
In children
For the youngest patients, whose age does not exceed 16 years, the normal range for the level of uric acid in the blood is 120-320 µmol / l.
In pregnant women
Closely monitoring the level of uric acid in the blood is not only for people with suspected problems with the kidneys or joints. The indicator can also change in women during pregnancy. In the early stages, due to an increase in the total blood volume, it may decrease somewhat, but by the third trimester it can again go up.
Pregnant women should also pay special attention to this indicator because it can be one of the signs of the development of preeclampsia, a serious complication that usually develops in late pregnancy and is characterized by an increase in pressure, combined with an increase in the level of protein in the urine and pronounced edema.
Elevated uric acid
An increase in the level of uric acid in a person’s blood is called hyperuricemia. As a rule, such a diagnosis is made when, according to the results of appropriate tests, the uric acid content is above 420 µmol / l in the stronger sex and 360 µmol / l in women.
The reasons
Hyperuricemia can be triggered by both relatively “harmless” causes (for example, with excessive intake of purines from food or as a result of strenuous exercise), and serious diseases. For example. disorders in the work of the kidneys.
An increase in the level of uric acid in the blood can also be caused by disorders in the production of certain hormones, oncological diseases and chemotherapy (they often lead to increased synthesis of uric acid), taking certain medications, being overweight, and other factors.
Effects
Excess uric acid in the human body can lead to serious health problems. And all because the “extra” acid tends to transform and turn into salt crystals, which, in turn, can be deposited in the joints or, alternatively, lead to the appearance of kidney stones.
The most well-known complication that hyperuricemia can lead to is gout. In this disease, uric acid salts are deposited in the form of small crystals on the joints, which impairs their mobility, changes shape and causes pain. If gout is not treated, kidney damage can also join the symptoms listed above.
Elevated levels of uric acid can negatively affect the cardiovascular system.
“In the Russian clinical guidelines “Arterial hypertension in adults” from 2021, hyperuricemia is classified as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with arterial hypertension, says Olesya Generalova, Medical Director of the NACFF laboratory. – An increase in uric acid in the blood affects the rheological function of the blood, affects the adhesion and aggregation of platelets, and also affects low-density lipoproteins, which leads to the progression of atherosclerosis and thereby provokes the occurrence of coronary heart disease. Uric acid also has an effect on carbohydrate metabolism, its high concentrations increase insulin tolerance, which may contribute to the development of diabetes.”
Decreased uric acid level
A decrease in the level of uric acid in the blood below an acceptable level is less common than hyperuricemia. Such a condition in which this indicator approaches the mark of 100 μmol / l is called hypouricemia.
The reasons
Both medications and diseases in which a person disrupts the production of this substance in the body, kidney problems (including Fanconi syndrome), as well as other ailments (Wilson-Konovalov disease) can lead to a decrease in the content of uric acid in the blood. , in which too much copper accumulates in the human body), certain types of malignant neoplasms, and so on.
The possible consequences of hypouricemia are primarily associated with the diseases that cause it.
How to bring the level back to normal
If the change in the level of uric acid (up or down from the norm) is caused by certain health problems, then the first thing the doctor will probably prescribe is drugs to combat the underlying disease.
Often, correcting uric acid levels requires a change in diet. If the patient suffers from hyperuricemia, he should not lean on purine-rich foods, such as meat dishes, offal, and alcohol should also be excluded. But for those who, according to the results of the tests, hypouricemia is diagnosed, on the contrary, it is recommended to add such products to your diet.
There are also special medications that help reduce the level of uric acid in the blood. They should be prescribed only by a doctor. If a person has a predisposition to gout or other diseases associated with this indicator, he needs to regularly visit a doctor and carry out all the necessary studies, controlling the level of uric acid.
“The level of uric acid is an important indicator of the functioning of the body. But I do not recommend taking any tests on your own, without consulting a doctor, says Yulia Yarovaya. – Only a specialist can determine whether the patient has indications for testing, and decipher the results. If the patient prescribes tests for himself, without indications and consultation with the doctor, at best he spends extra money. At worst, he finds non-existent diseases in himself. For example, if the analysis showed a high level of uric acid, and the patient does not have any complaints, most likely this result is caused by a specific diet, high physical activity, or alcohol intake. But you need to make sure.
In the results of analyzes, not only high, average and normal values are important.
Age and gender norms, the ratio of even normal indicators relative to each other, the influence of concomitant diseases and many other factors are important. Therefore, remember that prevention, medical examinations and regular check-ups are right and useful, and overdiagnosis in the absence of indications can be harmful.”