Are you also having pain in your body? Shall we talk about uric acid? (Uric Acid Urine Test)

Do you often experience pain in your body, especially in your joints? Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, your big toe is red, swollen, and painful to the touch? Or do you have back pain and difficulty urinating ? Many people experience these things. One of the main suspects behind these symptoms is uric acid . So today, let's talk about what uric acid is, what happens when it increases, and the urine test that measures it accurately.

Simply put, what is uric acid?

Think of our body as a factory. This factory does a lot of work every day. We make energy from the food we eat, we remove old cells and make new cells. As we do this work, waste products are also produced. Uric acid is one of those natural waste products that our body produces.

This is caused by the breakdown of chemical compounds called ' purines ' in the body. These purines are found in our body tissues and in some of the foods we eat. For example, animal liver, fish such as mackerel, sardines, dried fish, some nuts (dried beans), and beer are high in purines.

Normally, the uric acid that forms in this way dissolves in the blood, is filtered through the kidneys , and is excreted in the urine. That is a healthy process. But sometimes this process goes awry. Either the kidneys are unable to filter uric acid properly, or the body starts making too much uric acid. That is when the level of uric acid in the blood increases. When this increases, a variety of health problems can occur.

Why is the doctor asking you to do this test?

There are several reasons why your doctor may order a uric acid urine test.

1. If you suspect you have gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes a lot of pain for many people. Simply put, when the amount of uric acid in the blood increases, it forms tiny crystals, like sugar cubes, and gets deposited inside our joints. These crystals cause severe pain , swelling, and redness.

If you have these symptoms, your doctor can prescribe this test to confirm whether the cause is increased uric acid.

2. If you have kidney stones

One of the reasons for the formation of kidney stones is an increase in uric acid. When the concentration of uric acid in the urine increases, those crystals combine and form stones. If these stones get a little bigger, they can get stuck in the urinary tract and block the flow of urine. That's when severe pain occurs.

If you have kidney stones, this test will help you determine exactly what type of stone they are and whether uric acid is the cause of their formation.

3. To monitor people undergoing cancer treatment

When chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used to treat cancer, a large number of cancer cells are destroyed at once. Then, a large amount of purines inside those cells can accumulate in the blood at once, causing uric acid levels to rise rapidly. This test is important to monitor that condition and provide the necessary treatment.

Are there any things I need to prepare for before the test?

Yes, definitely. Some medications and foods can affect the results of this test.

• Aspirin and similar medications
• Medicines such as `(Cyclosporine)`, which are given for some autoimmune diseases
• Levodopa for Parkinson's disease
• Some medications that reduce water in the body (Diuretics)
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Medications for gout
• Some painkillers (NSAIDs)

Also, avoid alcohol completely the day before and on the day of the test. Alcohol slows down the rate at which uric acid is excreted from the body.

How is this 24-hour urine collection test done?

This is not like other urine tests. It's not enough to just give a urine sample once. We call this a '24-hour collection' . You need to collect all the urine you pass throughout the day.

Here's how to do it, just follow these steps:

1. On the first morning: As soon as you wake up, empty your first urine into the toilet. Do not collect it. But write down the exact time on a piece of paper (e.g. 6:15 AM).

2. The next 24 hours: From that time until the same time the next morning, every time you urinate, you need to collect every drop into the special container provided by the lab.

3. The next morning: Try to wake up at the same time as the previous day (e.g. 6:15 a.m.). Collect the first urine of the morning in the same bottle. Write down that time as well.

4. How to store the bottle: Throughout this urine collection period, keep the bottle in the fridge when not in use.

5. Delivery to the lab: After 24 hours, take this bottle to the lab as soon as possible.

Although this may seem like a bit of a hassle, it is essential to do it this way to get the correct result.

What do the results say?

Your report will usually arrive in a few days. The doctor will explain it to you.

On average, an adult excretes between 500 and 600 milligrams of uric acid in their urine in 24 hours. If more than 800 milligrams is excreted from a person who eats a normal diet, it is considered high.

Causes of elevated uric acid levels

In addition to gout and kidney stones, uric acid levels can increase due to several other reasons.

Reasons for lowering uric acid levels

This is not a very common condition, but in some cases, uric acid levels can decrease.

• Kidney disease
• Lead poisoning
• Drinking alcohol excessively over a long period of time
• The kidneys are unable to filter waste properly (chronic glomerulonephritis)

Based on your report, your doctor will give you the necessary advice. He may tell you to change your diet. He may ask you to limit foods high in purines (such as red meat, dried fish, liver). If necessary, he will prescribe medication to control your uric acid levels.

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