Urate (Uric acid)
Normal Reference Range
Male♂ 0.20 – 0.42 mmol/L
Female♀ 0.12 – 0.36 mmol/L
Test Information
The end result of purine metabolism in humans is uric acid. Purines are essential building blocks of nucleic acids and coenzymes that can either be produced by the body on its own or received by eating foods high in nucleic material, such as liver, sweetbreads, etc. The majority of the remaining uric acid is released into the GI tract, where it is mostly broken down by bacterial enzymes into allantoin and other chemicals, losing around 75% of it in the urine. Biochemical screening is routinely used to identify asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
Increased purine synthesis, hereditary metabolic disorders, excessive purine intake from food, increased nucleic acid turnover, cancer, cytotoxic medications, decreased excretion as a result of chronic renal failure, and increased renal reabsorption are the main causes of hyperuricemia. Continual monitoring of these
Clinical Indications
• Identifying and treating renal failure; keeping track of patients taking cytotoxin medications; and diagnosing and treating a number of other ailments, such as gout, leukaemia, psoriasis, malnutrition, and other wasting diseases.
• Pre-eclampsia screening (retinal dysfunction impaired)
• Hyponatraemia differential diagnosis (low urate in SIADH)•
Sample Required
5mL serum sample tube is required for a urate blood test
Min. sample volume
0.5mL
Special Instructions and Precautions
Not applicable
Time Limits For Retrospective Testing
2 days
Any factors affecting the test
Not applicable
Turnaround Time
4 hrs
Referral centre (if applicable)
Not applicable
Test Code
URIC