Uric Acid (Urate)

Clinical Chemistry

---

Description

Uric acid is the final product of purine metabolism in humans. 75% of uric acid is excreted in the urine and majority of the remainder is secreted into the gastrointestinal tract where it is degraded. Plasma urate is influenced by a variety of factors which should be taken into account when interpreting results: Sex: higher in males Age: higher in older age groups Body mass: elevated in obesity Diet: high purine intake ( meat, anchovies ), alcohol ingestion Exercise: increases urate levels Other causes of a raised serum urate concentration are chronic renal failure, inherited metabolic disorders ( glycogen storage disease type 1 ), hypercatabolic state, psoriasis and myeloproliferative disorders and metastatic cancer. Very low results are expected when patients are given uricozyme ( eg.rasburicase ) during chemotherapy.

---

Indications

� Diagnosis and monitoring of gout � Monitoring for tumour lysis syndrome � Monitoring drugs known to reduce renal urate excretion

---

Sample Type

Serum. SST/Gel, minimum 2 mL ( 1mL separated serum ).

---

Reference Range

Reference ranges are provided on the report. Alternatively, please contact the laboratory for current ranges.

---

Turnaround Time

Within 1 day

---

Testing Frequency

Daily

---

Please note: the above information is subject to change and we endeavour to keep this website up to date wherever necessary.