My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", you can stay signed in to WebMD.com on this computer for up to 2 weeks or until you sign out. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

A to Z Guides

Email a Friend

Print Article

Information and Resources

Font Size

Uric Acid in Urine

(continued)

What To Think About

Having a high uric acid level does not mean that you have gout. If your uric acid level is high and you do not have any other symptoms, you will not need to take any medicine to decrease your uric acid level.
If you have kidney disease or have had a problem with kidney stones, your doctor may start treatment with a medicine, such as allopurinol, even if your uric acid levels are not too high.
Uric acid also may be measured in blood. For more information, see the medical test Uric Acid in Blood.
About 10% of kidney stones are made of uric acid. These white or orange stones are difficult to see on an abdominal X-ray. Uric acid stones can form when urine has a low pH (is very acidic). People who have gout are at high risk of developing uric acid kidney stones. Allopurinol (such as Zyloprim) may be prescribed without performing a 24-hour uric acid urine level if a person has significantly impaired kidney function or tophi. Tophi are chalky, white accumulations of uric acid crystals that build up in the soft tissue of a joint, often occurring in the joints of fingers. Tophi may also develop in the cartilage of the external ear, the back of the fingers, or the elbow.
The chance of having high levels of uric acid in the urine increases under some conditions, such as from receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer.
If the urine uric acid is greater than 750 mg per 24-hour urine sample, a person with gout is usually treated with a medicine such as allopurinol (for example, Zyloprim) that decreases the body's production of uric acid. A person in this situation is called an "overproducer."
If the urine uric acid is less than 750 mg per 24-hour urine sample, a person with gout may be treated with a medicine such as probenecid (for example, Probalan) that increases uric acid elimination by the kidneys. A person in this situation is called an "underexcretor."
A person with tophi or uric acid kidney stones will be treated for high uric acid levels no matter what the results of the uric acid test are.

Related Information

Uric Acid in Blood

Citations
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Other Works Consulted
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2008). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders.
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby?s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby.

< Previous Page

1|2|3|4

Next Page >

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 14, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.