Uric Acid
The end product of purine breakdown; high levels cause gout and track with metabolic health.
| Typical reference range (male) | 4–8 mg/dL |
| Typical reference range (female) | 2.5–7 mg/dL |
| Commonly cited optimal range | below 6 mg/dL |
Ranges vary by laboratory, method, age and sex: always use the range printed on your own report. Why labs differ.
What it measures
Uric acid is made when the body breaks down purines from its own cells and from food (organ meats, shellfish, beer). It is excreted mainly by the kidneys and partly through the gut.
Why it matters
Above about 6.8 mg/dL, uric acid can crystallize in joints (gout) and kidneys (stones). Elevated levels are also associated with insulin resistance, high blood pressure, fatty liver and kidney disease.
What a high result can mean
Causes include reduced kidney excretion, high fructose or alcohol (especially beer) intake, purine-rich foods, obesity, insulin resistance, dehydration, diuretics, low-dose aspirin, and high cell turnover (psoriasis, some cancers, chemotherapy).
What a low result can mean
Low levels are uncommon and can occur with low purine intake, high doses of certain drugs (allopurinol, losartan, high-dose aspirin, SGLT2 inhibitors), pregnancy, or rare kidney tubule disorders.
What affects the result
Fasting not strictly required but dehydration, intense exercise and alcohol can raise it temporarily. Reducing alcohol, sugary drinks and fructose, weight loss and hydration lower levels. A target below 6.0 mg/dL is used in gout management.
Units and conversion
Usually reported in mg/dL.
- From umol/L: multiply by 0.017 to get mg/dL
- From mmol/L: multiply by 16.81 to get mg/dL
Also called on lab reports
Urate, Uric Acid, Serum, Serum Urate
Related tests: Kidney Function
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.