Hyperuricemia (High Uric Acid Levels)

Do you suffer from high uric acid levels in your blood and wonder what causes it? And how can you treat this issue? Continue reading to find out the answers.

What is Hyperuricemia?

Hyperuricemia is a very common condition that can affect both men and women. It occurs when the level of uric acid in the bloodstream increases. 

Uric acid is a byproduct of the breakdown of purines, chemicals found in many foods and beverages. Under normal circumstances, the kidneys filter uric acid out of the bloodstream, but sometimes they may not function properly, leading to an increase in uric acid levels.

Over time, uric acid can accumulate and form sharp crystals that can settle in the joints, causing gout, or accumulate in the kidneys, forming kidney stones. 

This condition is quite common, affecting 1 in 5 people, with men being about four times more likely to be affected than women.

What Are the Symptoms of Hyperuricemia?

High uric acid itself does not cause symptoms and is not considered a disease. However, if levels remain high for prolonged periods, crystals can form, potentially leading to conditions such as:

• Gout

Approximately 20% of people with high uric acid levels develop gout, a condition that can affect any joint in the body but often starts with the big toe. 

Gout causes sudden sharp pain that can worsen over 8-12 hours and subside after a few days. Symptoms include:

1. Stiffness in the affected joint.
2. Difficulty moving the joint.
3. Redness, swelling, and warmth in the joint. 

• Kidney Stones

High uric acid levels in the blood can sometimes lead to the formation of kidney stones. Depending on their size, symptoms may include: 

1. Severe pain in the lower back, side, groin, or abdomen.
2. Painful and difficult urination.
3. Blood in the urine.
4. Increased urge to urinate.
5. Foul-smelling urine.
6. Fever, nausea, vomiting, and chills if a kidney infection occurs.

What Causes Hyperuricemia?

Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines, chemicals found in certain foods and beverages. A diet high in purines can raise uric acid levels in the blood. Foods and drinks rich in purines include:

1. Red meat.
2. Organ meats like liver and kidneys.
3. Beans.
4. Seafood, such as salmon, sardines, and shrimp.
5. Excessive alcohol consumption.
6. High consumption of sugary drinks or foods with fructose.

Certain medications, such as diuretics and immunosuppressants, can also raise uric acid levels. Additionally, high levels can result if the kidneys cannot eliminate it quickly enough, often due to kidney problems. Some health conditions that may cause Hyperuricemia include:

1. High blood pressure.
2. Leukemia.
3. Metabolic syndrome.
4. Obesity.
5. Psoriasis. 

How is Hyperuricemia Diagnosed?

To diagnose Hyperuricemia, doctors usually request a blood test to measure the amount of uric acid in the blood. If levels are high, they may also measure uric acid levels in the urine by collecting urine samples over 24 hours.

You can measure your uric acid level through the Blazma uric acid-Serum test. It is essential to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, such as aspirin or vitamin B3.

How is Hyperuricemia Treated?

Lowering uric acid levels in the blood can often be achieved by making dietary changes, such as reducing foods and drinks high in purines and increasing consumption of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, grains, lean proteins, and nuts, which are low in purines.

However, if high uric acid levels have led to gout or kidney stones, additional treatment may be necessary:

• Gout Treatment

Doctors may prescribe medications to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, such as ibuprofen or corticosteroids. They may also prescribe colchicine to reduce inflammation and medications to lower uric acid levels in the blood, such as probenecid and allopurinol.

• Kidney Stone Treatment

Treatment for kidney stones depends on their size. Small stones may pass on their own with increased fluid intake and pain relievers. Larger stones may require medication to relax muscles in the urinary tract to facilitate passing or procedures like ultrasound to break them up.