Uric Acid
Serum urate
A metabolic waste product whose level reflects diet, kidney clearance, and metabolic load. Raised levels are associated with gout and metabolic syndrome.
The basics
Uric acid is the end product of purine breakdown, formed as the body recycles DNA and RNA and processes purine-rich foods. It is filtered and excreted mainly by the kidneys. A serum urate test measures how much is circulating in the blood.
Why this marker matters
Uric acid sits at the crossroads of diet, kidney function, and metabolism. Raised levels (hyperuricaemia) can crystallise in joints and cause gout, and are also associated with insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome. It often rises in parallel with fructose, alcohol, and overall metabolic strain.
Where the typical ranges sit
Roughly < 7.0 mg/dL in men and < 6.0 mg/dL in women; lower is generally preferable.
Commonly cited upper limits are about 7.0 mg/dL (416 µmol/L) for men and 6.0 mg/dL (357 µmol/L) for women, though laboratory ranges differ. For people with gout, a treatment target below 6.0 mg/dL is often used to dissolve urate crystals. A raised value without symptoms (asymptomatic hyperuricaemia) is common and is interpreted in context.
Reference ranges differ between laboratories and guidelines. Your CHIRAYOU report uses the range reported by the analysing laboratory, and your interpretation should be discussed with a physician.
Common influencers
- Diet (purine-rich foods such as red meat, organ meat, and seafood)
- Fructose and alcohol intake (both raise urate)
- Kidney function (reduced clearance raises levels)
- Body weight and insulin resistance
- Certain medications (diuretics, low-dose aspirin)
- Genetics and sex (men generally run higher than premenopausal women)
If your value is outside the range
A raised uric acid value without joint symptoms does not by itself need treatment, but it is worth discussing with a physician in the context of blood pressure, kidney function, and metabolic markers. If you have had a gout attack, a doctor can advise whether urate-lowering treatment is appropriate.
Where this comes from
Measure your Uric Acid from home.
Order the blood test