Elevated Uric Acid

An increased serum urate (uric acid) concentration above the reference range predisposing to monosodium urate crystal deposition, gout, and uric acid nephrolithiasis.

• Adult males: ~4.0-8.5 mg/dL or 240-510 μmol/L

• Adult females: ~2.7-7.3 mg/dL or 160-430 μmol/L

• Children: ~2.5-5.5 mg/dL or 120-320 μmol/L

Causes

• Increased urate production

  • High-purine diet

  • High fructose intake

  • Excessive alcohol consumption

  • Tumor lysis syndrome

  • Increased cell turnover (hematologic malignancies, psoriasis)

• Reduced urate excretion: Kidney failure

• Metabolic disorders

  • Obesity

  • Metabolic syndrome

  • Hypertension

  • Diabetes mellitus

  • Insulin resistance

• Medications

  • Diuretics

  • Low-dose aspirin

  • Calcineurin inhibitors

  • Pyrazinamide

  • Ethambutol

• Other causes

  • Dehydration

  • Genetic disorders of purine metabolism

  • Lead nephropathy