Uric Acid levels: what's normal, high and low
A waste product from nucleic-acid breakdown. High levels can crystallize in joints and cause gout.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
Uric Acid is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 3.40 – 7.00 mg/dL (male, age 18+; more bands below). At TestWell it's $21.99 all-in as Uric Acid, results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
- Units
- mg/dL
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Fasting
- Not required
- Results
- 1–3 business days
- Price
- $21.99
- Labs
- Quest or Labcorp
Uric Acid Reference Range
These are the typical adult reference ranges used by major US labs. Your report will include the specific range used by the lab that processed your sample.
| Population | Range |
|---|---|
| Male, age 18+ | 3.40 – 7.00 mg/dL |
| Female, age 18+ | 2.40 – 6.00 mg/dL |
Reference ranges are educational. Always interpret your result with the specific range printed on your lab report and discuss anything outside the range with a clinician.
What your Uric Acid result may mean
Often reflects gout, kidney issues, certain medications, high purine intake, or alcohol use.
What a high Uric Acid means: causes, symptoms, next steps →Can reflect low purine diet or certain rare metabolic conditions.
Educational only — not a diagnosis. Many factors can influence a single result. Discuss anything that concerns you with a healthcare provider.
How do you get a Uric Acid test?
Order online, a licensed physician reviews the requisition, and you walk into a nearby lab for the draw. Uric Acid is available on its own or inside these panels — panels cost less per marker when you want the fuller picture.
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Uric Acid | This marker only | $21.99 |
| Gout Panel | 3 tests | $62.99 |
| Total Body Panel | 49 tests | $499.99 |
Quest vs. Labcorp for Uric Acid: which lab should you pick?
Both are CLIA-certified national labs and the result is clinically equivalent, so pick whichever location is closer. Your report will print that lab's own reference range, which can differ slightly from the table above.
| Lab | Available | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $21.99 |
| Labcorp | Yes | $21.99 |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | No | — |
Need help choosing a location? Use the lab finder to see draw sites near your ZIP.
How often should you retest Uric Acid?
For gout treated with urate-lowering therapy, the American College of Rheumatology recommends treating to a serum urate below 6 mg/dL, checking levels every 2–5 weeks while the dose is being adjusted and about every 6 months once stable. Without gout, there's no routine retest interval.
General guidance from the sources listed below — your clinician may set a different schedule based on your history and results.
Frequently asked
Often reflects gout, kidney issues, certain medications, high purine intake, or alcohol use. A single result above the reference range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician — often a repeat test and related markers — not a diagnosis on its own.
Ready to test your uric acid?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $21.99.