You might have heard your doctor talking about the uric acid levels and you might be wondering what uric acid is and how the low and high levels of this affects your well-being. Uric acid is a chemical that is created when the human body tries to break down the substances known as purines. These are produced in our body and can also be found in a number of foods as well as drinks. In this article let us learn about the uric acid causes and treatment options.
What Causes Low and High Levels Of Uric Acid?
Low Uric Acid Levels
It is said that the low uric acid levels only affect 0.5% of the overall population every year. While a number of people suffer from high uric levels, low uric acid levels are rare can occur due to some already existing health condition. It is important to get the uric acid levels checked and this can be done via a blood test.
Some of the causes of low acid levels can be due to Wilson’s disease, where the copper level in the body starts affected the vital organs. It is also one of the common symptoms in patients who are suffering from Fanconi syndrome, where the kidneys let some waste problems get absorbed back to the blood stream.
Also, people who follow a diet that is very low in purine can also suffer from low uric acid levels and this condition can often lead to hypouricemia.
High Uric Acid Causes
High uric acid levels are very common and it occurs when the kidney fail to eliminate the uric acid. Some of the things that can often cause the slowdown of uric acid removal can include eating high uric acid foods, being overweight, having high level of diabetes and also when people take certain water pills. High levels of uric acid can also occur in people who consume too much of alcohol. Some of the other reasons include underactive thyroid, taking immune suppressing drugs, vitamin B3, and Tumor lyses syndrome.
Doctors might also monitor a patient for high uric acid levels when he/she is undergoing a radiation treatment for conditions like cancer.
Symptoms
Like any other medical condition, low or high levels of uric acid in the body are also assessed using some symptoms. Let us have a look at what they are.
Symptoms of Low Uric Acid Levels
Some of the Common Symptoms of Low Uric Acid are Listed Below.
- Increase in the pulse rate
- Having frequent hiccups
- Sudden or unexplained weight loss
- Having diagonal creases on the earlobes
- Sleeplessness
- Increase in the blood pressure levels
Symptoms of High Uric Acid Levels
High uric acid is a very common condition faced by many across the world. Some of the common uric acid high symptoms are mentioned below.
- There are times when the uric acid can get settled in the joints and this can cause gouty symptoms. Some of the common conditions include pain, inflammation and redness.
- High uric acid levels can also affect the skin. These are non-painful and are known as tophi. These are normally seen on the hands, the feet and even on the elbows.
- High uric acid levels can also cause stones in the kidney and this can in turn cause back pain, frequent fever and chills, bloody urine and nausea.
Uric Acid Levels (Normal, High and Low)
It is important to know the uric acid levels before going in for any further tests. In general, the normal uric acid levels are 2.4-6.0 mg/dL in females and 3.4-7.0 mg/dL in males. The values can slightly differ from one laboratory to another.
Also, the uric acid levels are said to be high when it is above 6 mg/dL for females and above 7 mg/dL in males. Likewise, the uric levels are said to be low when it is less than 2.4 mg/dL in females and is below 3.4 mg/dL in males.
Medical attention is required when you find that symptoms that are associated with low or high uric acid levels. Your doctor might suggest a few more tests before providing you with the treatment options.
Treatment Options for Low and High Uric Acid
Treatment for Low Uric Acid Levels
If you have been diagnosed with low uric acid levels, it is important to know that the only person who is well qualified to recommend the treatment is your doctor. A few changes in the diet can help raise the uric acid levels to normal. Your doctor might suggest a uric acid diet menu which would include taking foods that have good amounts of purine in them.
Also, the low uric acid levels are not really a cause of concern and the levels can be easily bought back to normal levels in no time. If the levels are too low, the doctor might as well prescribe a few medicines that can treat the underlying cause of the low levels of uric acid.
Treatment for High Uric Acid Levels
There are various treatments that help to treat high uric acid levels in both men and women. In a number of cases, the doctor might prescribe some Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that provide relief if you are suffering from gout-related pain. You might as well as be prescribed some Uricosuric Drugs that prevent the formation of uric acid crystals from getting deposited in the tissues.
Conclusion
It is also important to know as to when you need to contact your health care provider. If you are experiencing joint pains or breathlessness you need to contact your doctor immediately. Also, if you have frequent palpitations or bleeding in urine or when you see any kind of rashes on your skin, it is time you need to seek medical help.
High or low uric acid levels can be treated when you seek medical help on time. With proper care and medication, the levels can be bought back to normal in no time. So, now that you know the uric acid causes and treatment options, call your doctor for in case of any further information or help.
Medically Reviewed By
Maanasi specializes in health topics including diet and nutrition. A mother of an untiring seven year old, she enjoys nurturing her love affair with English. She is often found nestled with a book, plopped against a dozen pillows, smiling away at the brink of finishing yet another book of the many dozens, that adorn the shelves of her Mini Library!
