What Level of Uric Acid is Dangerous?

Dangerous Uric Acid Levels: Causes, Symptoms & What to Avoid

Uric acid is a waste product formed in the body's process of breaking down purines. This waste is filtered out from the body through the kidneys and the urinary tract. However, having uric acid levels higher than 6 mg/dL for women and 7 mg/dL for men is dangerous. If the body is producing or is unable to effectively filter it out, it develops hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels).

What is the normal range of uric acid?

It is common to have some level of uric acid in the body. However, experts recommend that this level must strictly stay below 6 mg/dL. If you are someone who is under gout medication and you often experience gout flares throughout the year, it becomes even more crucial to maintain a normal uric acid range.

Population	2024 Guidelines
Healthy Adults	>6.8 mg/dL (saturation point for crystal formation)
Gout Patients	<6 mg/dL (if tophi/chronic), <5 mg/dL (if CKD)
Emergency Level	>12 mg/dL → Tumor Lysis Syndrome risk

For people who have a long-standing disease, medical professionals try to keep the uric acid level as low as possible. If you have high uric acid levels but without any symptoms, there is no requirement for any treatment. However, keeping an eye on its levels remains crucial.

What are the Signs of High Uric Acid Levels?

Look out for these signs and symptoms if you doubt that there is a spike in your uric acid levels:

Kidney Stone
Arthritis
Having an upset stomach
Vomiting
Constant desire to urinate
Blood stains in urine
Inflammation or swelling in joints
During radio or chemotherapy
Upset Gut

What are the Causes of a High Uric Acid Level?

Most mammals tend to produce an enzyme responsible for breaking down uric acid to make it easier for the body to flush it out. However, humans lack this enzyme, making it difficult for the body to break it down to release it from the body.

Let us understand the reasons that contribute to the production of more uric naw:

When you are not excreting uric acid properly. It can either be due to a kidney issue or dehydration.
Consuming alcohol is responsible for increasing the risk of gout or gout flares.
Eating a rich purine diet
Obesity
Diabetes
Due to certain medications, especially those that treat arthritis.

What is a Purine-Rich Diet?

This form of diet tends to increase the risk of a spike in uric acid levels. Such food also causes inflammation and has a significant effect on your heart health, setting the stage for developing diabetes.

Red meat mainly, organ meat like liver or kidney
Beer and other forms of alcohol
Sugar-based drinks, candies or desserts
Saturated fats from sources like butter, cream, ice cream, and coconut oil
A certain variety of seafood, like shellfish, anchovies, and tuna.

Remember, eating in moderation is the key, and some of them can be a great source of protein and other essential nutrients.

What are the Ways to Reduce Uric Acid?

Incorporating certain food items into your diet can help reduce high uric acid levels:

Having low-fat dairy products such as yoghurt and skim milk.
Berries and Cherries
Foods that are rich in vitamin C, such as grapefruit, oranges, bell pepper, broccoli, kiwi, guava, and dark leafy vegetables.
Complex carbohydrates from whole wheat sources such as brown rice, whole wheat, and barley
Legumes like beans, lentils, and tofu

By maintaining a proper diet, natural remedies, and lifestyle modifications, you can easily manage high uric acid at home.