Uric Acid Test

What is a Uric Acid Test? 

A uric acid test measures how much uric acid is in a urine sample to give you a better understanding of how your body breaks down certain waste products. Uric acid is a normal waste product that is produced when your body breaks down purines, a natural chemical compound found in foods like organ meats, oily fish, shellfish, and alcohol.

Usually, uric acid dissolves in your blood, is filtered by your kidneys, and leaves your body via urine. However, if your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys do not remove enough of it, it can build up in your blood. This can cause crystals to form in and around your joints, a condition known as gout.

Gout is a type of painful, inflammatory arthritis. By using a uric acid test, you can find out if your symptoms may be caused by a buildup of uric acid in your body.

How Does a Uric Acid Test Work? 

A uric acid test measures the amount of uric acid in your urine sample. An abnormal result cannot tell you how much uric acid is in your blood or why the result is abnormal. If you get an abnormal uric acid urine test result, you should make an appointment with your GP, who may recommend a blood test to determine whether you have gout.  

The test is simple and can be done at home. It uses urine test strips, which need to be dipped very briefly in your urine sample to give you your results.

When to Take a Uric Acid Test

You might be considering taking a uric acid test if you have been experiencing gout symptoms to find out if high uric acid levels are the cause. You should take the test using a fresh morning urine sample and follow the instructions supplied with your test kit.

Symptoms of gout include:

• Severe pain in one or more of your joints, particularly your big toe.
• Redness, swelling, and warmth around the joint.
• Difficulty moving the joint.
• Pain when walking or weight-bearing on the joint. 

Can You Take a Uric Acid Test at Home?

Yes, you can take a uric acid test at home. There are two options available: a blood test or a urine test. At Prescription Doctor, we offer a quick and simple at-home urine test that requires you to dip a test stick into a fresh urine sample for almost instant results.

There are several advantages to an at-home uric acid urine test. They are:

• Non-invasive and discreet
• Quick and easy to do
• Results within a few minutes
• Cost-effective
• No need for a GP appointment

Once you have your results, if you have high uric acid levels, our clinician can help you access effective gout treatments to help relieve and prevent future flare-ups.

How to Test Uric Acid at Home

To take your uric acid test at home, follow these simple instructions:

• Collect fresh urine in a clean, dry container
• Briefly (for a maximum of one second) dip the test strip into the container and pull it out
• Wipe off any excess urine on absorbent paper
• Wait 2 minutes before reading the results
• Read the test results carefully using the colour chart on the label

When taking a uric acid urine test, you should be aware that several factors can affect the result. For example, vitamin C can cause false-negative results at higher uric acid concentrations, so vitamin C-containing foods, drinks, and supplements are best avoided before taking the test. An abnormal urine colour can also make it difficult to interpret the test strip.

If you are unsure how to take the uric acid home test, or would like more information, our clinicians can answer any queries you may have. It is important that a diagnosis or treatment decisions are not made based on a single result; you should contact your GP if your test results are abnormal.

What to Do About Your Uric Acid Test Results

When you take the uric acid test, the end of the test strip will change colour to indicate whether your uric acid levels in your urine are normal or abnormal. There are 5 different shades the test strip can become, depending on the concentration of uric acid in your sample.

You will receive either of the following results:

• Normal uric acid levels: The test indicates your uric acid is within the normal range (100 to 300 mg/L). This suggests it is unlikely you have gout, and you do not need to do anything further. However, if you have been experiencing symptoms that made you think you may have gout, you should speak to your doctor for more advice.
• Abnormal uric acid levels: The test has detected elevated uric acid in your urine. The abnormal range for this test is between 700 and 1500 mg/L. The darker the colour of the test strip, the higher the concentration of uric acid in your urine. This suggests that you may have gout and should speak to a clinician about appropriate treatment. Our clinicians can help you access gout treatment.

If you have any questions about your results, our clinician can help. Please note that the test result is not a final diagnosis, and you should make an appointment with a doctor to discuss any symptoms or concerns you have.

If you have a sudden, painful, or swollen joint that is also accompanied by worsening pain, fever, chills, nausea, or loss of appetite, contact your GP immediately or call NHS 111 for advice, as this could be a sign of a joint infection.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Uric Acid Test for Gout