gout
Gout is a common, painful form of arthritis. It causes swollen, red, hot and stiff joints. Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in your blood. This happens if your body produces extra acid or does not eliminate enough, or if you eat too many foods with purines, such as liver and dried beans. Pseudogout has similar symptoms and is sometimes confused with gout. However, it is caused by calcium phosphate, not uric acid.
Often, gout first attacks your big toe. It can also attack ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows.
You are more likely to get gout if you
- Are a man
- Have family member with gout
- Drink alcohol
At first, gout attacks usually get better in days. Eventually, attacks last longer and occur more often. Uric acid buildup can lead to kidney stones. Untreated gout can cause permanent joint and kidney damage. You can treat gout with medicines
How is it used?
The uric acid blood test is used to detect high levels of this compound in the blood in order to help diagnose gout. The test is also used to monitor uric acid levels in people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Rapid cell turnover from such treatment can result in an increase in uric acid.
The uric acid urine test is used to help diagnose the cause of recurrent kidney stones and to monitor people with gout for stone formation.
When is it ordered?
The uric acid blood test is ordered when a doctor suspects high levels of uric acid. Some patients with high levels of uric acid have a disease called gout, which is a form of arthritis. People with gout suffer from joint pain, most often in their toes, but in other joints as well. The test also is ordered as a monitoring test when someone with cancer has undergone chemotherapy or radiation, to learn whether uric acid levels are getting dangerously high.
The uric acid urine test may be ordered when a person suffers from recurrent kidney stones or has gout and needs to be monitored for formation of these stones.
What does the test result mean?
Blood
Higher than normal uric acid levels in the blood is called hyperuricemia and can be caused by the over-production of uric acid in the body or the inability of the kidneys to clear out enough uric acid. The doctor will need to investigate further to determine the cause of the overproduction or decreased excretion of uric acid. There are several genetic inborn errors that effect purine metabolism. Metastatic cancer, multiple myeloma, leukemias, and cancer chemotherapy can cause increased production of uric acid. Chronic renal disease, acidosis, toxemia of pregnancy, and alcoholism can cause decreased excretion.
Increased concentrations of uric acid can cause crystals to form in the joints, which can lead to the joint inflammation and pain characteristic of gout. Uric acid can also form crystals or kidney stones that can damage the kidneys.
Low levels of uric acid in the blood are seen much less commonly than high levels and are seldom considered cause for concern. Although low values can be associated with some kinds of liver or kidney diseases, Fanconi syndrome, exposure to toxic compounds, and rarely as the result of an inherited metabolic defect (Wilson disease), these conditions are typically identified by other tests and symptoms and not by an isolated low uric acid result.
Urine
High uric acid levels in the urine are seen with gout, multiple myeloma, metastatic cancer, leukemia and a diet high in purines. Those at risk of kidney stones who have high uric acid levels in their urine may be given medication to prevent stone formation.
Low urine uric acid levels may be seen with kidney disease and chronic alcohol use.
Used and new Medical equipment
Phenylketonuria (PKU) info and resources
Todo sobre la Fenilcetonuria PKU
Guia de salud para disfrutar de la vida con salud
Relajate en el Jacuzzi y spa
Medical Ultrasound everything you need to know
secret recipes guide : We'll Teach You the Jealously Guarded Secrets Behind Dishes From Billion Dollar Restaurants
Snacks cookies and candy store
Dietas y nutricion , para un cuerpo sano
Buy online health products
Cocina y recetas para tus comidas
Artritis reumatoide Diagnostico y tratamiento
Enanismo Diagnostico y tratamiento
Is there anything else I should know?
Many drugs can increase or decrease the level of uric acid. In particular, diuretic drugs like thiazide drugs can cause uric acid levels to go up.
Aspirin and other salicylates have varying effects on uric acid. At low aspirin levels (as may occur in persons taking aspirin only occasionally), aspirin can increase blood uric acid. On the other hand, in high doses (as may be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis), aspirin actually lowers the concentration of uric acid.
For people who have uric acid kidney stones or gout, foods that are high in purine content should be avoided, including organ meats (like liver and kidneys), sardines and anchovies. Alcohol also should be avoided, because it slows down the removal of uric acid from the body. Fasting, a starvation diet, stress, and strenuous exercise all raise uric acid levels.
Although the uric acid test cannot definitively diagnose gout, a test for monosodium urate in synovial fluid (joint fluid) can.