Millionaire Health Advices

It is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines, which are found in some foods and drinks, such as liver, anchovies, mackerel, dried beans and peas, beer and wine.

Most uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys, where it passes through the urine. If the body produces too much uric acid or does not remove enough, you can get sick. High levels of uric acid in the body is called hyperuricemia.

This test is done to see how much uric acid in your blood.

How the test is performed

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with a disinfectant (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

The doctor then gently inserts a needle into the vein and blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once you have collected the blood sample, the needle is removed and covered the puncture site to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, you can use a sharp instrument called a lancet to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, a slide or test strip. Finally, place a bandage over the area if there is any bleeding.

A laboratory specialist checks the blood sample for uric acid.
Exam Preparation
Prepare for the Test

Do not eat or drink anything for four hours before the test, unless indicated otherwise. Your doctor may also ask you to stop taking any drugs that may affect test results, but NEVER stop taking any medication without consulting him.

Drugs that can increase the level of uric acid in the body include:

* Alcohol
* Ascorbic acid
* Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
* Caffeine
Cisplatin *
Diazoxide *
* Diuretics
Epinephrine *
* Ethambutol
* Levodopa
* Methyldopa
Nicotinic acid *
Phenothiazines *
Theophylline *

Drugs that can decrease the level of uric acid in the body include:

Allopurinol *
* Azathioprine
* Clofibrate
* Corticosteroids
* Estrogens
* Glucose
* Guaifensin
Mannitol *
Probenecid *
* Warfarin

Why the test is performed

This test is done to see if you have elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, which can cause gotagota or kidney disease.

The doctor may also order this test if you have had or are about to undergo certain types of chemotherapy. Rapid weight loss that can occur with such treatments, can increase the amount of uric acid in the blood.

Normal Values

Normal values are between 3.0 and 7.0 mg / dL.

Abnormal results mean

Uric acid levels above normal (hyperuricemia) may indicate:

* AcidosisAcidosis
* AlcoholismoAlcoholismo
* DiabetesDiabetes
* Drop
* HipoparatiroidismoHipoparatiroidismo
* Lead poisoning plomoIntoxicación
* Leukemia
* NefrolitiasisNefrolitiasis
* Polycythemia vera veraPolicitemia
* RenalInsuficiencia renal insufficiency
* Toxemia of pregnancy embarazoToxemia
* Diet rich in purines
* Excessive exercise
* Side effects associated with chemotherapy

The uric acid levels below normal may indicate:

* Fanconi Syndrome FanconiSíndrome
* Wilson’s disease WilsonEnfermedad
* Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
* A diet low in purines

Other conditions under which the test may be performed:

* CrónicaArtritis chronic gouty arthritis gouty
* Injury of the kidney and ureter

Possibility Related Posts:

• What is uric acid?
  Uric acid is virtually a body of toxic waste comes from the same body, and that usually formed in the liver by excessive consumption of meat, it is usually excreted in the urine, but with increasi...