uric acid

Japanese: 尿酸

Reference value

Men: 3.5–7.0 mg/dL

Women: 2.5–6.0 mg/dL

(Enzyme method)

What is Uric Acid?

The final product formed in the body when purines, which are components of nucleic acids contained in the nucleus of cells, are broken down.

■Table 1 Foods and purines

Foods high in purines : shrimp, dried squid, dried horse mackerel, sardines, bonito, soybeans, monkfish liver, shirako, beer, etc.

Foods low in purines : grains, bread, potatoes, milk, cheese, butter, eggs, vegetables, seaweed, tea, etc.

What is Gout?

Gout is a disease in which the concentration of uric acid in the blood becomes too high, causing it to crystallize and deposit in the base of the big toe and in the joints of the fingers, forming red bumps called gouty tophi, causing sudden attacks of severe pain.

This is a test to check for gout. 99% of people with gout have hyperuricemia, which is caused by obesity, excessive intake of purines, excessive alcohol consumption, etc.

Gout leads to high prices

This test is done if gout is suspected.

When uric acid levels exceed 10 mg/dL, people are more likely to develop gout, and 99 out of 100 people with gout have uric acid levels of 10 mg/dL or higher. However, during a gout attack, uric acid crystallizes in the tophi, causing the uric acid level to fall.

Therefore, just because uric acid levels are low during an attack does not necessarily mean that the attack is not caused by gout, and further testing is required.

High levels can cause acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, and decreased kidney function.

Uric acid in the blood easily damages blood vessels, and can affect the heart, brain, and other areas that have many blood vessels. Kidneys kidney Gout is a condition that can cause heart disease, kidney disease, and kidney stones.

What is truly frightening is that if hyperuricemia (described below) continues, it can lead to acute myocardial infarction High speed This can lead to cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction, as well as renal dysfunction.

Men have higher levels than women, and levels increase with age

Uric acid is measured in serum using an enzyme-containing reagent and a colorimeter.

The amount of uric acid dissolved in the blood is 6.5-7.0mg/dℓ, so it is desirable to keep the concentration below this level. The upper limit for men is 7.0mg/dℓ, which defines hyperuricemia, and levels above 7.0mg/dℓ are considered hyperuricemia. The level is higher in men than in women, and increases with age.

You may eat and drink normally on the day of the test.

If high, repeat test

If the value is high, the test will be repeated, but considering the influence of medications and diet on uric acid levels, it is advisable to repeat the test in 1 to 2 weeks.

Causes of hyperuricemia include obesity, excessive intake of purines ( Table 1 ), heavy drinking, and strenuous exercise. Therefore, if you have hyperuricemia, foods with extremely high purines should be prohibited from your diet, and excessive intake of fats and alcohol should be avoided. Carbohydrates and protein do not need to be restricted as long as they do not cause weight gain.

Even if you have no symptoms of gout, if your uric acid level is 8.0 mg/dL or your urinary excretion amount is 800 mg or more per day, you will need medical treatment.

The main diseases suspected are

◆ High levels → Gout, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, renal dysfunction, drug-induced (diuretics, antihypertensive diuretics, etc.), extreme exercise, alcohol intake, etc.

"Nyosan" is a general term used by doctors

Source: Hoken "4th Edition: A book that explains the tests you will receive at the hospital" Information about the 4th Edition: A book that explains the tests you will receive at the hospital

Japanese:

基準値

男性：3.5～7.0mg/dℓ

女性：2.5～6.0mg/dℓ

（酵素法）

尿酸とは

　細胞の核に含まれる核酸の成分のひとつであるプリン体という物質が、体内で分解してできる最終産物。

■表1　食品とプリン体

プリン体の多い食品：えび、するめ、あじの干物、いわし、かつお、大豆、あんこうのきも、しらこ、ビールなど

プリン体の少ない食品：穀類、パン、いも類、牛乳、チーズ、バター、鶏卵、野菜類、海苔、茶など

痛風とは

　血液中の尿酸の濃度が高くなり過ぎて結晶化し、足の親指のつけ根や手指の関節などに沈着して痛風結節と呼ばれる赤い盛り上がりができ、突然激しい痛みの発作がおこる病気。