Uric Acid in Blood

Why It Is Done

A uric acid blood test is done to:

• Help diagnose gout.
• Check to see if kidney stones may be caused by high uric acid levels in the body.
• Check to see if medicine that decreases uric acid levels is working.
• Check uric acid levels in people who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These treatments destroy cancer cells that then may leak uric acid into the blood.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: October 31, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
© 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.