Uric Acid · high result
What does a high Uric Acid mean?
Short answer
High uric acid (hyperuricemia, above about 7 mg/dL in men and 6 in women) comes from making more — purine-rich foods, alcohol (especially beer), fructose and sugary drinks, rapid cell turnover — or excreting less — kidney disease, diuretics, low-dose aspirin, dehydration and genetics. Most people with a high level never get gout, but the risk of gout and kidney stones rises with the level and duration.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
What is the normal range for Uric Acid?
- Male, age 18+: 3.40 – 7.00 mg/dL
- Female, age 18+: 2.40 – 6.00 mg/dL
Often reflects gout, kidney issues, certain medications, high purine intake, or alcohol use.
Full reference table, citations and testing options: Uric Acid biomarker page.
What are the common causes of high Uric Acid?
- Diet: red meat, organ meats, shellfish, beer and spirits, high-fructose drinks
- Reduced kidney excretion: chronic kidney disease, dehydration, genetics
- Medications: thiazide and loop diuretics, low-dose aspirin, cyclosporine, niacin
- Metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance
- Rapid cell turnover: psoriasis, chemotherapy, fasting or crash dieting
What symptoms go with high Uric Acid?
- None in most people
- Sudden, severe joint pain and swelling (gout), often the big toe
- Kidney stones
What do clinicians usually check next?
- Kidney function and a metabolic panel
- Blood pressure, A1c, lipids — hyperuricemia clusters with metabolic syndrome
- Repeat off diuretics or after diet changes; a single value during a gout flare can be misleadingly normal or high
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.
How do you recheck Uric Acid?
Prices are cash-pay; every order adds one $6 lab processing fee. Physician authorization is included; no insurance or referral needed.
| Test or panel | Type | Price | Fasting | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Body Panel | Panel · 49 tests | $499.99 | Yes | 5–10 business days |
| Uric Acid | Test | $21.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
Common questions
Do I need treatment for a high uric acid without gout?
Generally not; guidelines don't recommend medication for asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Diet, alcohol and weight changes lower it, and kidney function is monitored.
Educational content, not a diagnosis. Lab results are one input; a clinician interprets them with your history and exam.