Uric Acid Testing Made Simple: Prevent Gout Today

Do you feel confused when you see the "Uric Acid Level" highlighted in red on your health examination report? What effects can high uric acid have on the body? What causes the production of uric acid? This article will guide you to understand the causes of uric acid production, how to conduct uric acid tests, and methods to prevent high uric acid levels. By adjusting daily diet and lifestyle, you can significantly reduce the risk of related diseases!
 

What is Uric Acid? What Causes Uric Acid?

Uric acid is a byproduct of metabolism in the body. About 80% of uric acid comes from the metabolism of amino acids and nucleic acids in the body, while the remaining 20% is produced from metabolizing purine-containing foods. Purines are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid, which is then excreted through the kidneys via urine.
 

What is the Normal Uric Acid Level? 

Generally, uric acid levels maintain a balance within the body. However, if uric acid is too high, or if kidney function is impaired and unable to excrete uric acid properly, it may lead to diseases such as gout and kidney damage. You can use the table below to check whether your uric acid level is within the normal range:
 

Why Does Uric Acid Increase? 

From the table above, did you find your uric acid level is above the normal range? High uric acid may be caused by the following two reasons:
 

Slow Metabolic Rate in the Body

When the body cannot effectively break down and excrete purines, uric acid accumulates in the blood, which may eventually lead to gout or kidney issues.
 

Excess Uric Acid Production in the Body

Improper alcohol consumption and dietary habits may cause excessive production of uric acid, leading to high uric acid levels. Alcoholic beverages, such as beer and spirits, accelerate purine breakdown, increasing uric acid production while inhibiting the kidneys' ability to excrete it. Additionally, high-purine foods like red meat, organ meats, and seafood can increase uric acid production. When the body cannot effectively metabolize these substances, uric acid accumulates in the blood, potentially causing kidney and gout-related problems.
 

Three Common Symptoms of High Uric Acid

Gout

Gout is the most common symptom of high uric acid. When uric acid accumulates in the blood over time, it forms uric acid crystals that deposit in joints, hands, or feet, causing local swelling and deformity. During gout attacks, these crystals irritate the joints, leading to intense pain and inflammation. Without timely treatment, repeated gout episodes may further damage the joints and impair normal mobility.
 

Urinary Stones

High uric acid levels increase the risk of urinary stones. Excess uric acid precipitates in urine to form crystals, which eventually develop into stones. These stones can block the urinary tract, causing difficulty or pain during urination and affecting kidney function. Long-term urinary tract obstruction may lead to kidney damage and even kidney function decline.
 

Kidney Dysfunction

Most uric acid is excreted through the kidneys, but when uric acid levels are too high and not properly metabolized, it forms uric acid crystals within the kidneys, damaging their structure and leading to kidney dysfunction. Even without crystal formation, excessive uric acid itself is toxic and, when accumulated long-term, can impair the kidneys' filtration ability, increase their burden, and eventually cause kidney disease or kidney function decline.
 

Does High Uric Acid Harm the Heart? 

Cardiovascular Diseases

Excess uric acid lingering in the blood over time leads to hyperuricemia. Studies have shown a significant correlation between hyperuricemia and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Excess uric acid triggers oxidative stress, damages endothelial function of blood vessels, and promotes vascular sclerosis. Additionally, the inflammatory effects of uric acid can cause atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of thrombosis. These factors collectively place hyperuricemia patients at higher cardiovascular disease risk.
 

Kidney Diseases

High uric acid facilitates the formation of uric acid crystals in the kidneys, potentially causing stones that obstruct the urinary tract and disrupt normal urination. When the urinary tract is obstructed, kidney inflammation and damage may occur. Over time, uric acid crystals deposit in renal tubules, triggering ongoing inflammation, which can lead to fibrosis of the renal tubules, further impairing kidney function. If left untreated, this gradually worsening condition may ultimately result in kidney failure.
 

Diabetes

People with high uric acid levels are twice as likely to develop diabetes as healthy individuals. This is primarily due to excessive uric acid causing insulin resistance, hindering the body’s normal response to insulin. Additionally, elevated uric acid levels may damage pancreatic cells, reducing insulin secretion and making blood sugar control more challenging. Persistently high blood sugar levels further increase diabetes risk, creating a vicious cycle.

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Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome refers to a condition where multiple metabolic indicators are abnormal, including high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and abdominal obesity (abnormal waist circumference). When these indicators appear together, the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases increases significantly. Many unhealthy lifestyle habits that cause high uric acid, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity, are often associated with metabolic syndrome. These habits not only raise uric acid levels but also lead to other health problems.
 

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How to Test for Uric Acid?

High uric acid levels can negatively affect the body in various ways, including gout, urinary stones, kidney damage, and increased cardiovascular disease risk. These health issues are mainly caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in joints and kidneys, triggering inflammation and tissue damage. To prevent these diseases, home uric acid testing tools can now be used to monitor uric acid levels, enabling early detection and management. Regular testing, combined with a healthy lifestyle, can effectively lower the risk of high uric acid, protecting overall health.
 

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Preparation Before Uric Acid Testing

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water and dry them.
2. Prepare the necessary tools: uric acid testing device, test strips, lancing pen, lancet, alcohol swabs, and dry cotton.
 

Performing Blood Collection

1. Use an alcohol swab to disinfect the area for blood collection. It is recommended to collect blood from the side of the fingertip to reduce pain and improve the likelihood of sufficient blood collection.
2. Position the lancing pen against the blood collection site and press the button to collect blood.
 

Reading the Uric Acid Level

1. Drop the blood onto the designated area of the test strip, ensuring an adequate amount of blood is absorbed fully by the strip.
2. Depending on the brand of the testing device, wait 15 seconds to 1 minute for the result to appear on the device.
3. Record the uric acid level and verify if it falls within the normal range.
Results available in 15 seconds! With quick testing and minimal blood sample requirements, BeneCheck Uric Acid Monitoring System is the top choice for at-home uric acid testing.
 

How to Effectively Control Uric Acid?

Maintaining normal uric acid levels is crucial for preventing various diseases. By adopting healthy habits such as balanced eating, moderate exercise, and sufficient water intake, you can effectively control uric acid levels. Avoiding high-purine foods and excessive alcohol consumption also helps reduce uric acid production. Building a healthy lifestyle aids in reducing the associated health risks.
 

Reduce Intake of High-Purine Foods

Among animal meats, red meat such as beef, pork, and lamb contains the highest levels of purines, which can easily increase uric acid. Additionally, organ meats like liver and kidneys are rich in purines, and excessive intake will elevate uric acid levels. Seafood such as eel, shellfish, and sardines also contain high purine levels and should be consumed in moderation to avoid health issues. Reducing the intake of these foods helps maintain normal uric acid levels.
 

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise helps control body weight, as being overweight increases uric acid production and decreases excretion. Exercise also promotes blood circulation and improves the body's sensitivity to insulin, which helps lower uric acid levels. Incorporating aerobic exercise and strength training into your routine can boost metabolism and reduce the risk of high uric acid.
 

Maintain Regular Routines

Maintaining a regular schedule supports proper physiological functions, including metabolism and detoxification. A consistent routine can improve sleep quality, reduce stress, and balance endocrine and metabolic functions, preventing high uric acid. Adequate rest and sleep also facilitate body repair, enhance immunity, and reduce the risk of diseases.
 

Drink Alcohol in Moderation

Excessive alcohol consumption increases uric acid production, especially with beer and spirits. Beer contains high levels of purines, which are metabolized into uric acid, causing its concentration to rise. Spirits interfere with the kidneys' ability to excrete uric acid, further exacerbating the issue. Long-term excessive drinking not only raises uric acid levels but also increases the risk of gout and other related health problems. Moderate alcohol consumption is essential to maintaining good health.
 

Choose 【BeneCheck】 for Uric Acid Testing

BeneCheck is committed to developing various home testing devices, allowing everyone to easily manage their health in daily life. With these devices, users can conveniently monitor their health status and detect potential problems early. These testing instruments feature multiple benefits, such as Bluetooth connectivity for easy device pairing, rapid testing for immediate results, and high memory capacity for tracking historical data. Additionally, their compact design makes them portable, enabling testing anywhere. All products are certified under EU regulations and approved by the Ministry of Health, ensuring safety and reliability.
 

Conclusion

Uric acid testing helps you better understand your health status and enables early detection and management of potential health issues. With BeneCheck's home testing devices, you can easily obtain accurate results and make informed health management decisions based on the data. These products, featuring Bluetooth connectivity, rapid testing, memory functionality, and lightweight designs, are all certified by EU regulations and approved by the Ministry of Health to ensure safety and reliability. If you would like to learn more, please feel free to contact us. Start your journey to a healthier life today!
 

Reference :
〈Reference：Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. (2004). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 4th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders. Fischbach FT, Dunning MBIII eds. (2004)〉
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