Lab test · Nephrology
Serum Uric Acid
Uric acid, gout risk
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Uric acid, gout risk
Uric acid is a waste product made when the body breaks down purines, substances found in the body's own cells and in foods such as red meat, organ meat and some seafood. Most of it is removed by the kidneys in urine. If too much is made or too little is removed, the level in the blood rises, which can lead to gout (painful, swollen joints) and kidney stones.
Why a doctor may order it
- If you have a sudden painful, red, swollen joint, often the big toe
- To monitor people with gout or those on treatment to lower uric acid
- If you have kidney stones
- During some cancer treatments, which can raise uric acid
- As part of a kidney or general health check
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
Eat and drink normally unless your doctor has asked you to fast. Avoid a very heavy meal of red meat, organ meat or seafood, and alcohol, the evening before, as these can raise uric acid. Keep taking your usual medicines unless your doctor advises otherwise; some water tablets (diuretics) can raise the level.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector comes to your home and takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm, usually within a few minutes. If a joint is painful, you can stay seated and rested throughout.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
The report shows your uric acid level next to the laboratory's reference range. A high level can be linked to gout, kidney stones, kidney disease, diet, alcohol or some medicines, but many people with a high level never develop gout, and the level can be normal during a gout attack. Your doctor will interpret the result with your symptoms and may repeat it.
What's included
One test: Serum Uric Acid, from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Kidney Function Test (RFT)Kidney function৳1,440
- Serum CreatinineKidney function৳150
- Blood UreaKidney function৳150
- Urine Routine Examination (Urine R/E)A urine routine examination, also called urinalysis, looks at your urine in three ways: its appearance, its chemistry (such as protein, sugar and acidity) and, under a microscope, any cells, crystals or bacteria.
- Lipid ProfileA lipid profile measures the fats in your blood: total cholesterol, LDL ('bad') cholesterol, HDL ('good') cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Serum ElectrolytesBody salts & water balance৳400
Questions people ask
Does a high uric acid level mean I have gout?
Not always. Many people with high uric acid never get gout. Gout is diagnosed from symptoms and examination, and sometimes by testing fluid from the joint.
Which foods raise uric acid?
Foods high in purines, such as red meat, organ meats like liver, and some seafood, can raise uric acid. Alcohol, especially beer, and sugary drinks can also raise it.
Can uric acid be normal during a gout attack?
Yes. The level can fall during an attack, so a normal result does not rule gout out. Your doctor may repeat the test a few weeks after the attack settles.
How much does a Uric acid test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳200, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Uric acid test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Uric acid report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.