Uric Acid Test for Blood And Urine

Uric acid tests measure the level of uric acid patients have in their body system. Many of these tests might help measure the patient’s risk of hyperuricemia and gout. Medical centers and medical laboratories provide various types of tests to look for the uric acid levels of a patient. The following are one of the most widely used tests that detect the amount of uric acid in a patient’s body:

Urine Uric Acid Test

In a urine uric acid test, an urine sample is taken from the patient and is analyzed for uric acid content. The urine uric acid test can be used to check if the kidneys can flush out uric acid from the system.

The standard uric acid level for a twenty-four hour urine sample is 250-750 mg (1.5-4.4 millimoles).

A uric acid test result higher than this range might show gout and possible risk of kidney stone formations. This can be as a result of diet rich in purines.

A uric acid test result lesser than this range might also indicate gout. The patient’s kidneys might be getting problems flushing out uric acid from his body, even with a regular uric acid production.

Blood Uric Acid Test

In a blood uric acid test, blood is extracted from a patient’s vein using a vacuum through a process called venipuncture. That is a more direct method of determine body’s uric acid level compared to the urine uric acid test. The blood uric acid test will be able to directly measure the level of uric acid in the blood of the patient.

The normal uric acid level in the blood is 3.6 - 8.3 mg/dL (~214 - ~494 µmol/L) for males and 2.3-6.6 mg/dL (137-393 µmol/L) for women.

A uric acid test result bigger than this range might show a case of Hyperuricemia. This generally signifies that the kidneys aren't able to flush out all the excess uric acid properly. This might imply high risk of uric acid crystal formation in the joints that might result in gouty inflammations.

A uric acid test result lower than this range is rarely a cause for problem, though often connected with kidney and liver dysfunctions. It is still better to confirm with your doctor if the low-level of uric acid in your system isn't a result of another ailment / condition.

Pointers to keep in mind before having your blood / urine tested:

1. Ensure that the urine sample you give to the technician is no older than twenty-four hours.
2. For correct results, avoid eating food from five to nine hours before the test. The food you eat can change your blood and urine’s chemistry and affect the test results.
3. Talk to with your doctor before taking the test as he might advice you to stop taking certain drugs that might affect the test results. Don't STOP TAKING ANY PRESCRIBED MEDICINE WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR.

Home Gout Remedies for Gout Relief

Gout remedies can save you from prolonged suffering and offer considerable gout relief. For people who suffer from gout, this may be quite intense and long lasting. Home gout treatments are often very ideal for individuals who would like to avoid medication whenever possible. There are easy methods to achieve gout relief and even reduce uric acid. These gout treatments may also avoid future gout problems. These home gout remedies may be managed at home using typical home items.
What Makes Gout Painful?

Gout is triggered by the build-up of uric acid in the blood stream. High uric acid levels is generally due to a lot of purines in your daily diet or the inability of the kidneys to excrete extra uric acid. While too much of uric acid is present it tends to collect in the minimum joints in the body. There it starts to harden and interfere with the function of the joints.

This hardening of the uric acid and avoiding the joint from working causes a significant amount of pain. While the body will finally re-absorb the uric acid as it breaks up, the flare-ups will still result in a significant amount of pain much like arthritis.

Common Home Gout Remedies for Gout Relief

While there's zero cure for gout, there are many home gout remedies for the pain of gout attacks. Most of these gout remedies may even avoid gout attacks from occurring. Using all these home gout remedies might help significantly in gout treatment and gout relief over a life time. Those gout remedies may also be used collectively to provide the most amount of gout relief. The reason is that home gout remedies offer just short-term gout relief. Talk to your doctor concerning these home gout remedies or any gout remedy before you use them.

Drink More Water

Drinking lots of water ought to be the first of the gout treatments you need to take during a gout attack. H2o can minimize the pain of gout by helping to dilute and get rid of the uric acid. Drinking water also helps dissolve the uric acid crystals in your joints. By having plenty of water every day, you'll find some gout relief which will curb the intensity of the pain if flare-ups should occur. For added benefit you may add a teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of h2o before drinking. This alkalizes the water that helps lower uric acid.

Hot and Cold Compress

These are the easiest yet most efficient home gout remedies for gout relief. A hot compress is generally a keeping of a heat pad or a heated foot bath that amplifies heat to the affected joints of the feet. Heating the affected place will improve circulation. This can help remove uric acid from the affected area helping with the pain. Alternatively, a cold compress alleviates and soothes pain and minimizes swelling. We suggest using a towel soaked in ice water rather than ice as ice can hurt the skin. Use a cold compress alternately with a hot compress using every compress for ten minutes. Elevating the affected area while applying a hot and cold compress will also help achieve gout relief.

Ginger

Ginger was used for ages not only as a spice but also as a medicinal herb. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it a ideal home gout treatment for pain and swelling.

You are able to prepare a ginger compress differently. You are able to slice it up into thin slices and flatten it with a rolling pin or a mortar and pestle and apply it on the affected area. You may use a bandage or tie a handkerchief to keep it in place. You mix also add a cup of carefully chopped or grated ginger with a litre water and bring it to a boil. Soak a small towel in the boiled ginger solution and apply it as a hot compress. If the pain is on your foot, you can prepare a larger serving of this solution and use it as a warm foot bath, just make sure you let it cool until the heat is manageable. Also make sure to rinse your skin thoroughly as ginger can irritate the skin.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is commonly used to soothe soreness, pain and swelling. This makes it an ideal gout remedy. If your gout attack is centered on the foot or big toe, you can prepare and Epsom salt foot soak. Fill a basin or a wide mouthed bucket and with warm water and add 1 cup of Epsom salt. Soak your feet in the solution for 15 minutes at a time for gout relief. If multiple joints are affected, an Epsom salt bath can be beneficial. Prepare an Epsom salt bath by adding 2-3 cups of Epsom salt to a bathtub of warm water and soak for 15 minutes at a time.

Flax Seeds and Activated Charcoal

Flax seed is mostly known for being a good way to control cholesterol levels due to its Omega-3 fatty acid content. Some studies suggest that flax seed can also be a good gout remedy. Flax seed is known to reduce swelling and promote blood circulation . Not only that, some studies also suggest that flax seed improves renal function which helps reduce uric acid. Activated charcoal is also known to reduce uric acid and draw toxins from the body.

Taking flax seed and activated charcoal internally is known to reduce uric acid levels and lessen swelling. Doctors recommend taking half a teaspoon of activated charcoal powder 4 times a day. There are also activated charcoal capsules you can buy for easier ingestion. Flax seed can eaten as is or added to your breakfast cereal or yoghurt. It can also be used as an ingredient in baked pastries.

Alternatively, a mixture of 3 - 5 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with ½ cup powdered activated charcoal mixed with warm water makes a nice paste for topical application. Apply the poultice directly on the affected area and hold with a dressing or wrap with plastic. Leave it on for 4 to 12 hours for best results.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a extremely debated natural gout treatment. Apple cider vinegar has high acidity levels, and the usage of acidic foods can aggravate a patient’s gout symptoms.

Supporters of this remedy claim that apple cider vinegar can aid in gout relief. According to them, a normal dose or apple cider vinegar might help ease gout inflammations by breaking down uric acid crystals that result in gout pains in the joints. They claim that there will be an initial increase of gout symptoms after the first few intakes of this home gout remedy. This may be due to the fact that an increase in acidity in the diet can increases gout inflammations. They claim this will soon subside as the body gets used to the apple cider vinegar. A commonly suggested dose is two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar taken two times a day. Common preparations of this gout remedy include mixing it with water, honey or both to make it easier to ingest.

Those who oppose this gout remedy on the other hand say that after trying this gout treatment, their gout got worse. Their personal experience includes increased inflammation in certain joints, mostly in the hands and feet.

Others still say that this remedy is a myth and doesn't affect gout in any way.

Given all of the various opinions on this remedy, our best recommendation is to consult with your doctor before trying out this home gout remedy.

It would be better to consult your medical professional first before using these or any gout remedies. We also recommend you to do your own research regarding these gout remedies or some other gout remedy you might have encountered.

Causes of High Uric Acid and Gout Attacks

Lots of gout patients have too caught up in getting a cure for gout. Sadly, they tend to overlook well-known causes of gout problems. Gout patients tend to dismiss these causes of gout attacks since several of them don't seem that threatening. A lot of these gout triggers seem safe. Some of these gout reasons even seem healthy in the beginning. However, professionals have discovered that lots of these majorly affect the amount of uric acid the body. Left unchecked they are able to cause or significantly aggravate a gout attack.

1. Dehydration

Apart from the different harmful side effects of loss of water, dehydration might also especially contribute to the concentration of the fluids in your body. Dehydration can cause a high uric acid concentration that will lead to painful gout problems and other problems. The kidneys won't be able to flush excess fluids from the body such as uric acid if the body is deprived of h2o. Be sure to drink up to eight cups of water each day to balance the fluids in our body and to avoid the occurrence of high uric acid in the body.

2. Drinking Alcohol

We sometimes see from health care journals that average alcohol consumption is really good for one’s diet. It is actually suggested by several doctors and other professionals to promote a healthier lifestyle. In a gout patient’s case however, alcohol consumption is a big no. Alcohol, particularly beer, interferes with natural excretion of uric acid from the body system. Alcohol is high in purines and dehydrates the body, contributing to high uric acid levels in the body.

What causes High Uric Acid? What Causes Gout Attacks?

3. Heavy Exertion

Normal exertions of the body like exercise are very important in reducing gout attacks and in promoting a healthy lifestyle. It is one of the most significant elements of healthy living. Even so, when the body is subjected to a lot of heavy activity, the body reacts by temporarily increasing the already high uric acid in the body. This might imply another gout attack for a gout patient. Exercise only in a reasonable pace and intensity. Don't strain the joint areas too much because they are the targets of gout attacks. Joint strains, like unnecessary running or too much exertion of force on the knees and elbows isn't helpful to a gout patient’s welfare. Reduce unwanted strain on the joints the you'll be good to go.

4. High Fructose Level in the Body

Fructose is a beneficial part of a person’s diet, especially if he or she suffers from gout. A dose of fructose can be acquired from fruits and is recommended by doctors to promote a healthy diet for gout patients. However, too much fructose is still sugar, and sugar is still contributory to high uric acid. Make sure that you are consuming a reasonable amount of fructose and you shall be safe. Moreover, it is advisable to stay away from artificial sweets that contribute to a high uric acid level and stick to a more natural diet.

5. Eating Too Much Meat

Meat is often harmless. It is in fact an important part of a healthy person’s diet. Meat is an important source of protein which is needed for muscle build up and repair. Unfortunately the consumption of meat should be put under watch in order to avoid the increase of uric acid. Animal protein has is high in purines and is a contributing factor to a high uric acid diet yield. A high uric acid diet increases the uric acid levels of the body. A high uric acid level caused by purines will definitely lead to gout attacks and pains. Organs such as heart, liver and brains should be avoided at all cost. Check this related article for more foods you should avoid with gout.

High uric acid levels increase your risk of gout attacks.

Low Purine Diet to Reduce Uric Acid

Diet is a very sensitive problem with gout sufferers. The actual difficulty is they disregard the main factor of their diet to their uric acid levels. Knowing of your diet is just as essential in lowering uric acid as the gout treatments prescribed to gout sufferers.

A low purine diet is generally prescribed to supplement gout treatment. A minimal purine diet is also generally prescribed to help stabilize a high uric acid level, even if the patient doesn't show gout symptoms. A correctly implemented low purine diet is an effective way to reduce uric acid and avoid gout attacks.

Purine and Uric Acid Diet Basics

The purine content of the food you eat dictates how much uric acid is produce when they're digested. The normal daily diet contains around 600mg - 1000mg of purines. A minimal purine diet perfectly contains around 100mg - 150mg each day. A low purine diet goals to lower the uric acid diet contributes to your system.

To begin planning for a low purine diet, you must first of all be aware of purine content of the most common food available to you. The 1st big step is for gout patients to learn what food to avoid with gout and avoid them. The general rule is the higher the purine content, the more uric acid it produces. Samples of the most typical food with high purine content are livers and kidneys and other internal organs. Sardines, Anchovies, Mussels and Mackerel, meat gravy and meat extracts also get high purine content. Consult this purine table to learn more about the purine content of foods.

Making a Low Purine Diet Plan

To provide you with a concept on how to make a diet plan out of the foods mentioned, here's a sample of a 1 day menu plan for low purine diet:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with chopped bananas + one slice of low fiber bread with Black Coffee on the side.
• Lunch: Beef Stew + Cabbage Soup + Rice with sliced apples and a glass of water on the side
• Mid-Afternoon Snack: Two slices of low fiber bread with a glass of water
• Evening Meal: Egg Salad + Baked Potato with a small bowl of gelatin and a glass of water on the side

Ensure you keep track of the purine content of the food you use in your planning. You may also include these organic gout remedies to supplement your gout relief.
how you can reduce uric acid with a minimal purine diet

Oatmeal is a really good addition to any low purine diet.

Low Purine Diet Guidelines

There are numerous simple recommendations you can follow selecting the ideal food for a low purine diet. If the food has low-fat, it is more likely that it's perfect for a gout patient. Skim milk and fruit juices contain zero fats and may help minimize uric acid. Steering away from fried food and settling for their baked alternatives is also a good option in lowering uric acid.

Alcohol might be difficult to resist, however it doesn't make it easier to reduce uric acid in our body. In fact it even increases uric acid by dehydrating you. Most typical alcoholic beverages like beer include high purine contents though its classier counterparts like wines are safer albeit unhelpful aspects of a gout patient’s diet. H2o is essential and is successful in reducing uric acid. Eleven glasses of water per day may aid the body flush all those excess uric acid from your body.

Gout Treatment And Medication

Gout treatment medication will help minimize gout problems and reduce uric acid levels. Medication is actually the gout treatment medical professionals would firstly recommend. The effectiveness of gout remedies may be unpredictable for some gout patients. Gout may also become too serious for healthy habits and natural gout remedies to control. In all these situations gout treatment and medication gets required for gout relief and preventing gout attacks.

Gout Treatment And Medication

You will find actually many hundreds of drugs and several gout treatment options that provide gout relief and/or reduce uric acid levels. Ensure that you have strongly consulted your doctor first before getting these medications. Be sure you only take medicine that your medical professional has approved you. Self-medication is extremely harmful and can even do more damage than good.

Common Gout Treatment Medicines

Allopurinol

Allopurinol is a Xanthine oxidase inhibitor that minimizes uric acid levels. Allopurinol is a preventative drug which means it helps prevent gout attacks. It is not used for treating signs and symptoms of gout attacks.

Allopurinol performs by blocking the creation of uric acid. The blockage of uric acid creation reduces the build-up of uric acid in several joints in your body, helping the body control its uric acid ranges.

Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages reduce the potency of Allopurinol. Steer clear of any kind of drinks with alcohol while taking allopurinol and keep hydrated.
Side-effects of Allopurinol can include skin rashes and lowered blood count.
If gout is too serious, it's important to use medication.

Probenecid

The primary function of Probenecid is to increase the body’s excretion of uric acid. Probenecid is not suggested for people with existing kidney issues. Ensure your kidneys are healthy since the kidneys are the center of action for Probenecid.

Note that Probenecid can increase the uric acid content of your urine and may skew your uric acid test.

Side effects of Probenecid may include hair loss, dizziness and headache.

Colchicine

Colchicine is extracted from the plant Autumn Crocus or Colchicum. It can be used to minimize the pain from gout attacks. It works by inhibiting the inflammatory reaction of the body’s immune system to uric acid crystal deposits in joints. This immune reaction inhibition gives systematic relief from a gout attack.

Note that Colchicine doesn't minimize uric acid, and so doesn't cure gout. It is just used as a good agent in lessening gouty inflammation or providing pain relief during a gout attack.

Side effects of Colchicine might include vomiting and nausea and sometimes diarrhea.

Talk With Your Medical Professional First Before Taking These Kinds Of Gout Treatment Medicines.

Reduce Uric Acid Using Natural Remedies

Understanding how to reduce uric acid naturally isn't just healthful however may also help you save money. Gout is a physically debilitating situation and it may also be quite economically draining. Lots of dietary specifications and many healthcare prescriptions make Gout a costly situation to have.

Not everybody can afford the strict health care way of curing Gout, although. Luckily, there's also several, natural and low-cost ways how to reduce uric acid in your body. You should take note that it does not always mean that because they are natural that they're less efficient. In fact they might be better since they don't have a bad effect on your kidneys and liver compared to pharmaceuticals.

Some Natural Treatments to Reduce Uric Acid:

1. Cherries. Cherries. Cherries - There has been several studies and lots of testimonies concerning cherry usage as a way to minimize uric acid. Gout-ridden men and women who've added cherries in their diet has been seen to experience less frequent flare-ups of the afflicted joints. Many people with gout have seen more gout relief in consuming cherry extracts than having the cherry fruit itself. Cherries are low-cost (in many western countries) and organic making for a healthier and inexpensive addition to your diet plan.

2. Eat the vegetables; just skip the beans - Eating greens, particularly those rich in Vitamin C like broccoli and potatoes may become a natural method to reduce uric acid. Fibrous vegetables like beets and turnips are also experienced to relieve the pains of gout. Greens are usually inexpensive and are really surprisingly tasteful. Also, they are probably the most natural thing you will get your hands on when preparing a diet plan for gout relief.

Beans, although naturally healthy, should not be any aspect of a gout patient’s diet. Beans include concentrated amounts of purine that might trigger an increase in the amount of uric acid in your body.

3. Quench yourself - One thing to keep in mind: the lower quantity of water in the body, the better the concentration of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is h2o soluble, which means it dissolves in water. Water to drink can significantly and naturally help a gout patient by controlling the levels of uric acid and flushing the excess out of your body.

Do not just gulp bottle after bottle, although. You will simply end up releasing them quickly. Sip it slowly and in a small amount each hour and allow your body normally absorb the water in your body system.

4. Back to Basic principles - By basic I mean alkaline. Since Gout is triggered by high uric acid levels, that result to its crystallized form being deposited to several joints, increased alkaline in your diet plan for example alkaline water or a home made baking soda solution might help the gout patient to reduce uric acid levels. Three to four teaspoons every day (or as suggested by the doctor) of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in water ought to be enough to reduce uric acid concentration in your system.

Alkaline water can be bought in some water purifiers and h2o suppliers, and it is a safe source of alkaline in the diet plan. Baking Soda is inexpensive and simple to administer however it might also have digestive negative effects. It is recommended to consult a doctor 1st before trying this gout-relieving way.

5. Do not be stingy on the C - Finally, an enough amount of Vit C might help reduce gout pains and lessen uric acid and the risk of developing gout. A 2009 study verified that Vit C significantly reduced the risk of gout in 47,000 men. Another study also confirmed that people who took 1000 mg of Vitamin C had a 34 percent lower risk than those who took less.

Never forget to drink copious amounts of water. Ingesting acidic foods and supplements may improve your urine’s pH, putting you at risk of kidney stones. You may analyze your urine’s pH if you would like be sure of your safety before improving your vitamin C consumption. It must also be mentioned that too much Vitamin C intake (above 1000mg for each day) might have unwanted gastrointestinal effects for example diarrhea .

Foods To Avoid for a Healthy and Balanced Uric Acid Diet

Observing your uric acid diet yield is an important part in lowering uric acid and preventing gout. Your diet plan alone accounts for 30% of your body’s complete uric acid stages. A minimal uric acid diet may help lower your body’s uric acid ranges. Being aware of that foods to avoid with gout will let you significantly decrease your uric acid diet yield. Preventing foods that will add to your uric acid diet yield will prevent gout problems as a result. As the old adage states, prevention is better than cure.

Foods to Avoid with Gout - Foods High in Purines 

The purine content of your food determines your uric acid diet yield. A high purine content in the diet plan will considerably raise gout sufferer’s possibilities of getting a painful gout attack. If you've gout, it is vital that you need to know the purine content of the food you always eat. Realizing which foods to avoid with gout can considerably help prevent gout problems. You should prevent foods with high purine content to avoid gout attacks minimizing uric acid levels.

Keep in mind - a higher purine diet is a higher uric acid diet.

Usually you need to prevent eating liver, big and small intestines, spleen, heart, kidneys and some other animal organ meats. Sea food you should prevent are sardines, mackerel, herring, clams and mussels. You also need to minimize your intake of fatty, greasy and spicy foods. Red meats ought to be consumed moderately based on your existing uric acid level. Foods that you could consume in moderation ought to be prevented during the gout episode. visit this purine content table to be sure of which foods are higher in uric acid.

Alcohol and Diuretics

Beer causes High Uric Acid Diet Yield. Beer not only raises uric acid, but also makes more difficult for your system to minimize uric acid.

Beer not only increases uric acid, but also makes it harder for your body to reduce uric acid.

It is essential to keep hydrated to promote the excretion of uric acid from your body system. You need to avoid foods which are diuretics. Diuretic signifies it dehydrates you - making it more difficult for your entire body to expel excess uric acid.

Firstly, you need to avoid from drinking alcohol, particularly beer. Not only does it increases your uric acid but is also a diuretic. You also need to moderate your own consumption of caffeinated beverages like coffee, dark tea, sodas because they're definitely diuretics. While it's also being researched whether coffee or caffeine may certainly lower uric acid levels, or at lowest be gout neutral, these beverages are still diuretics. If you get this necessary to drink caffeinated beverages, ensure you drink lots of h2o during the day to re-hydrate your body.

Pastries with Yeast and Chocolate

Of course this might be terrible to some, pastries with yeast and chocolate boost your uric acid levels. Yeast (brewer or baker) are some of the highest in purine content per 100g.. Chocolate includes Theobromine which includes a whopping 2300mg/ 100g of purine.

Discipline, Awareness and Healthy Habits

All over again the key element here is self-control. You should also take time to know about the what you eat, and take note of foods that seem to trigger your gout. There isn't any set uric acid level that triggers gout attacks, everyone has a various threshold so you ought to pay attention to how your system reacts. Ensure that you form some healthful habits to reduce uric acid and prevent gout attacks.

If you're not sure about a part of your diet plan, talk to your doctor about it. Although there are tons of resources on the web to help you, consulting with your doctor is still the the easy way fine tune your diet and reduce uric acid levels