Uric Acid, Serum Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Uric Acid, Serum Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Serum Urate, UA, Serum Uric Acid Test |
| Sample Type | Serum (blood drawn from a vein in the arm) |
| Fasting Required | Not required; avoiding high-purine foods and alcohol for 24 hours before the test is advisable |
| Report Time | 1 Day |
| Recommended For | Adults of all genders and ages; particularly those with joint pain, kidney stone symptoms, or undergoing chemotherapy |
| Price | Starting at ₹200 |
What is a Uric Acid, Serum Test?
The Uric Acid, serum test measures the amount of uric acid in your blood. Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines, which are chemicals released when cells die or when you eat certain foods. Doctors typically order this test to check for conditions such as gout or kidney problems. It is also known as a Serum Urate or UA test.
What Does a Uric Acid, Serum Test Measure?
This test measures one key value: the concentration of uric acid in your blood serum. Here is what that tells your doctor.
| Component | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| Uric Acid | How much uric acid is circulating in the blood; helps assess purine metabolism and kidney filtering capacity |
When uric acid builds up beyond normal levels, it can form crystals in the joints or deposits in the kidneys, which may lead to pain or other complications.
Why is a Uric Acid, Serum Test Done?
Doctors order this test for a range of reasons, from investigating symptoms to monitoring ongoing conditions.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to request a uric acid test.
- Sudden, severe pain in the big toe, ankles, or knees
- Swelling, redness, or warmth around the joints
- Severe pain in the lower back or abdomen
- Blood in the urine or pain during urination (possible signs of kidney stones)
- Unexplained fatigue
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can help identify several conditions linked to abnormal uric acid levels.
- Gout, a form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposits in the joints
- Kidney stones and kidney disease
- Metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
- Conditions associated with high uric acid: acidosis, alcoholism, diabetes, leukaemia, hypoparathyroidism, lead poisoning, and dehydration
- Conditions associated with low uric acid: liver disease, HIV infection, hereditary metabolic disorders, Wilson's disease, and Fanconi syndrome
Uric Acid, Serum Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
This test is commonly used to track treatment progress in people already diagnosed with gout, kidney stones, or related conditions. In patients with gout and chronic kidney disease, regular monitoring helps doctors adjust treatment as needed. The test is also used during cancer chemotherapy, when rapidly dying cancer cells can release large amounts of purines, causing uric acid levels to rise sharply.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No complex preparation is needed for this test, but a few simple steps will help ensure accurate results.
Do You Need to Fast?
Fasting is not required before the Uric Acid, serum test. You can eat and drink normally on the day of the test. However, it is advisable to avoid alcohol and high-purine foods such as organ meats, sardines, anchovies, and beer for 24 hours beforehand for the most reliable results.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep these points in mind before you go for sample collection.
- Drink adequate water to stay well hydrated on the day of the test
- Inform your doctor about all medications you take, including aspirin, diuretics, nicotinic acid, levodopa, ciclosporin, and tacrolimus, as these can affect results
- Mention any recent illness, infection, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy to your healthcare provider
- Avoid strenuous exercise on the day before your test, as intense physical activity can temporarily raise uric acid levels
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is what to expect during sample collection for the uric acid test procedure.
- A trained phlebotomist will clean the skin on your inner arm with an antiseptic solution.
- A tourniquet (a soft band) is tied around the upper arm to make the vein more visible.
- A small needle is gently inserted into the vein. You may feel a brief pinch for a few seconds.
- A small blood sample is collected into a labelled serum gel tube.
- The needle is removed, and a bandage is applied to the site. Minor bruising at the site is normal.
- The labelled sample is sent to the NABL-accredited Lupin Diagnostics laboratory for spectrophotometry analysis.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence your result. Let your doctor know about any of the following.
- Dehydration, which can falsely raise uric acid levels in the blood
- Recent strenuous exercise or fasting, both of which temporarily increase uric acid
- Medications including diuretics, low-dose aspirin, and certain immunosuppressants
- Underlying conditions such as kidney disease, hypothyroidism, or psoriasis
- High alcohol intake or a diet very rich in purine-containing foods
Understanding Your Uric Acid, Serum Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed alongside your symptoms and medical history. The table below shows general reference ranges used by most laboratories.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Uric Acid (Adult Males) | 3.5 to 7.0 | mg/dL |
| Uric Acid (Adult Females) | 2.4 to 6.0 | mg/dL |
| Uric Acid (Children, pre-puberty) | 2.0 to 5.5 | mg/dL |
Levels above 8.0 mg/dL in males or 6.1 mg/dL in females are typically defined as high (hyperuricaemia). Levels below 2.0 mg/dL are considered low (hypouricaemia).
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can alter your uric acid reading even when no underlying disease is present.
- Dehydration can falsely elevate blood uric acid levels, making values appear higher than they actually are.
- Medications such as diuretics, aspirin, or chemotherapy agents may increase or decrease levels of uric acid, depending on the drug.
- Physical stress, infection, or intense exercise can transiently raise uric acid in the blood.
- Certain medications, including paracetamol metabolites, N-acetylcysteine, and metamizole, may cause falsely low readings.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general wellness tips may support healthy uric acid levels over time.
- Follow a diet low in purines. Reduce organ meats, red meat, certain seafood, and beer, and favour vegetables, low-fat dairy, and whole grains.
- Drink adequate water daily to help your kidneys flush out uric acid efficiently.
- Limit alcohol, particularly beer, and maintain a healthy body weight through regular, moderate physical activity.
Lupin Diagnostics Uric Acid, Serum Test Price and Home Collection
The Uric Acid test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting at ₹200, with home collection available across major Indian cities for your convenience.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 160 |
| CHENNAI | 200 |
| HYDERABAD | 200 |
| KOLKATA | 200 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 200 |
| PUNE | 160 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the Uric Acid, Serum Test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 1 day of sample collection.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers Uric Acid test home collection across cities throughout India. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by experienced professionals. Your digital report is delivered securely via email or WhatsApp, so you can share it with your doctor without visiting a centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Uric acid is a natural waste product formed when the body breaks down purines, chemicals found in certain foods and released by dying cells. Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood, gets filtered by the kidneys, and leaves the body in urine. The Uric Acid, serum test is done to check whether this process is working properly and to detect conditions like gout or kidney disease.
No, fasting is not required. You can eat and drink normally before the test. Some doctors suggest avoiding alcohol and high-purine foods for 24 hours before the test to get the most accurate reading.
Normal uric acid levels are generally 3.5 to 7.0 mg/dL for adult males and 2.4 to 6.0 mg/dL for adult females. These ranges can vary slightly between laboratories. Your doctor will interpret your result in the context of your symptoms and overall health.
Not on its own. High uric acid levels support a suspicion of gout, but they do not confirm it. Uric acid can sometimes be normal during an acute gout attack. A doctor may request additional tests, such as joint fluid analysis, to confirm the diagnosis.
Several common medicines can raise or lower uric acid levels, including diuretics, low-dose aspirin, nicotinic acid, levodopa, ciclosporin, and tacrolimus. Always tell your doctor and the laboratory about every medication you take before the test.
The frequency depends on your doctor's advice and your treatment plan. During active treatment, repeat testing every few months is common to check whether uric acid levels are moving towards the target range. Your doctor will guide you on the appropriate schedule.
The most effective dietary change is reducing purine-rich foods such as organ meats, certain seafood, and alcohol. Drinking plenty of water, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active with moderate exercise can also help. Always speak to your doctor before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Uric Acid, Serum Test: Booking, Price, and Results
