Why is uric acid in the blood high and what to do about it

What is uric acid and where does it come from

Uric acid is a substance that is in the body of any person. It is the end product of the metabolism of Hyperuricemia, that is, it is not broken down into something else, but is excreted in the urine and feces.

Uric acid results from the chemical breakdown of purines. This is the name of nitrogenous compounds present in many tissues and organs and partially coming to us with food. Basically - with products of animal origin.

If there is too much uric acid in the body (this condition is called hyperuricemia), a person may develop kidney stones or develop gout, a disease in which the salts of this substance (urates) are deposited in joints and tissues.

What is the rate of uric acid in the blood

Concentration varies depending on age, gender, diet and lifestyle. In children, the norm of Uric Acid of uric acid is 2.5–5.5 mg / dl (0, 12–0, 32 mmol / l). Then, in boys, with the onset of puberty, the amount of substance increases, and in girls it remains low - until menopause.

In adults, the following indicators are considered normal Uric Acid:

in men - 4–8, 5 mg / dl (0, 24–0, 51 mmol / l);
in women - 2, 7–7, 3 mg / dl (0, 16–0, 43 mmol / l).

For older people, a slight increase in the concentration of uric acid is allowed. The value should not be higher than 12 mg / dL (0.7 mmol / L).

How to know if your uric acid level is high

The main way to do this is a biochemical blood test from a vein, because there are no noticeable symptoms of hyperuricemia. But, if the concentration of uric acid increases frequently, a person may show some signs of Hyperuricemia Clinical Presentation:

Swelling, redness and pain in one joint. Usually in the big toe, less commonly in the knee or other areas.
Kidney stone symptoms. This is pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back, blood in the urine, sometimes nausea and vomiting.

If you notice such changes, make an appointment with a therapist, and he will schedule an examination.

Why uric acid levels are elevated

Hyperuricemia can develop for several reasons: the body produces too much uric acid, its excretion by the kidneys is impaired, or a combination of these two factors.

Delay in the body

Hyperuricemia leads to this:

Heredity. There is a rare genetic disorder called familial juvenile gouty nephropathy. With it, connective tissue gradually grows in the kidneys, and they cease to perform an excretory function.
Renal failure With various pathologies of the kidneys, the ability to filter blood is impaired, hyperuricemia develops.
Metabolic syndrome. This is a pathological condition in which a person has an increased glucose level, is overweight, arterial hypertension and the ratio of blood lipids is disturbed.
Medicines. They can interfere with the excretion of uric acid. This property is observed in diuretics, low doses of salicylic acid, levodopa, cyclosporine, pyrazinamide and niacin.
Hypertension.
Acidosis. This is the name of the shift of the acid-base balance. For example, this occurs during fasting, diabetic ketoacidosis and after alcohol abuse (alcoholic acidosis).
Preeclampsia and eclampsia. These are dangerous conditions that occur during pregnancy.
Hypothyroidism This is the name given to a decrease in thyroid function.
Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis. It is a rare immune disorder.
Chronic lead poisoning. It causes kidney damage.
Trisomy on the 21st chromosome, or Down syndrome.
Hyperparathyroidism. This is an increase in the work of the parathyroid glands.

Sometimes the reason for the retention of uric acid in the blood remains unknown.

Enhanced synthesis

It can be provoked by Hyperuricemia:

Genetic diseases. For example, glycogenosis Glycogen Storage Diseases Types I-VII: with these pathologies, glycogen accumulates in different organs - a special form of glucose. Or the Lesch-Nyhan and Kelly-Sigmiller syndromes, in which a person does not have the enzymes necessary for biochemical reactions in cells.
Features of nutrition. If the diet is high in meat, other animal products or legumes, then more uric acid is produced.
Enhanced exchange of nucleic acids. This occurs with hemolytic anemia, some forms of blood cancer.
Decay (lysis) of any tumor.
Exposure to organic pollutants such as pesticides.

Combined causes

These include Hyperuricemia:

Alcohol abuse.
Frequent consumption of fructose-based soft drinks.
Physical exercise.
Deficiency of the enzyme aldolase, which is why gout develops.
Gierke's disease, or lack of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase.

What to do if uric acid levels are high

Only a doctor can decipher a biochemical blood test. If he finds a deviation from the norm, he will prescribe an additional examination. It is needed to find the cause of hyperuricemia. The person will then be advised on a diet. Hyperuricemia Treatment & Management will be banned:

meat;
bird;
Fish and seafood;
offal;
alcohol;
legumes.

You can eat cheese and other dairy products, eggs.

In addition to diet, the patient sometimes requires medications to help eliminate uric acid. It happens that drugs are used for joint inflammation and pain.