Uric acid is produced when our body breaks down a substance called purines, which are produced in part by internal metabolism and by the foods we consume such as meats, alcoholic beverages, mackerel, beans, peas, mushrooms, asparagus, among others. . To maintain normal levels of uric acid in the blood, it must be eliminated through the urine, in case it does not happen in this way it will begin to accumulate in the tissues and cause diseases such as kidney stones and gout. At FastlyHealwe explain what the normal values of uric acid are .
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Why is uric acid elevated?
Uric acid itself is not a problem, it breaks down in the blood, travels to the kidneys, and is excreted in the urine. But when our body begins to produce this substance in excess, due to the degeneration of purines or because the kidneys cannot eliminate it correctly, it is time to visit your doctor.
This condition is known as hyperuricemia , and what happens is that a deposit of whitish, needle-like scales forms that accumulates in the joints causing arthritis, kidney disease or gout. There may also be other causes such as certain medications, chemotherapy treatment, and some forms of diabetes. Generally, this condition does not present symptoms, but in case of having them, inflammation in the joints, fatigue and problems when urinating can appear.
There are factors that will increase the risk of suffering from high levels of uric acid , such as being a man, consuming alcohol regularly, having a family history of gout, suffering from high blood pressure , diabetes and obesity, high caffeine consumption and being subjected to stressful situations.
Normal values
The normal uric acid levels are in the following range:
- Women: 2.4 and 6.0 mg / dL
- Men: 3.4 and 7.0 mg / dL
Before taking a uric acid test, you should bear in mind that you cannot consume drinks or food until four hours before the test. If you are taking any medication, you should inform your doctor, since the values could be altered.
It should be noted that just as high levels of uric acid are not healthy for our body, having a lower value of this substance does not benefit us either, since it indicates that uric acid is being eliminated in excess. Generally, hypouricemia has its origins in the genes, low levels of uric acid should also alert us since they can mean diseases such as Fanconi syndrome, Wilson’s disease, a low-purine diet or the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of urine. Antidiuretic hormone.
Low-purine foods
Prevention will be the best weapon to control uric acid levels in the blood, for this reason a change in the daily diet will be essential. Here are some foods that are low in purines:
- Milk and skim milk products.
- Green leafy vegetables like artichoke and lettuce.
- Nuts like walnuts and peanut butter.
- All fruits, juices and water.
- Refined cereals such as pasta, rice, and cornbread.
If you have already been diagnosed with high uric acid, avoid foods such as red meat, seafood, cold cuts, organ meats, blue fish and alcoholic beverages. If you want to know more about how your diet should be if you have high uric acid or treat it with natural remedies, we recommend the article natural remedies to reduce uric acid .
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Uric Acid Normal Values , we recommend that you enter our Blood, Heart and Circulation category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.