Uric acid is a breakdown product of cell nuclei. Two-thirds are excreted in the urine and one-third in the stool. Changes in serum uric acid levels may be caused by: - Increased production of urates
- Decreased excretion of urates
Uric Acid levels may rise in the presence of: - Renal failure
- Gout
- Cancer
- Pre-eclampsia
- Starvation
- Shock
- Alcoholism
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Hemolysis
- Trauma
Uric Acid levels may fall in the presence of: - Pregnancy
- Wilson's Disease
- Fanconi Syndrom
- Uricosuric drugs (allopurinol, sulfinpyrazone, probenecid)
| Normal Values* Men | 3.5-7.2 mg/dl | 0.21-0.43 mmol/L
| Women | 1.5-6.0 mg/dl | 0.09-0.36 mmol/L | Pregnancy | 1.2-4.5 | 0.07-0.27 mmol/L | *These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another. |