Uric acid
A waste product from breaking down purines. High levels cause gout - and tend to track with metabolic health and blood pressure.
TypeBlood test
HowStandard blood draw.
How oftenOccasionally, or when monitoring gout.
BeforeAvoid heavy drinking and very high-protein meals the day before.
WhoPeople with joint attacks, kidney stones or metabolic risk.
More than gout
Uric acid is a waste product from breaking down purines - found in red meat, seafood, beer and sugary drinks. High levels can form crystals in joints and kidneys, and often travel with high blood pressure and insulin resistance.
Joints
“Was that gout?”
Sudden, severe swelling - often the big toe.
Gout
Kidneys
“Why do I get stones?”
Uric acid can form kidney stones.
Stones
Metabolism
“Is it linked to my weight and blood pressure?”
Often rises with insulin resistance and sugary drinks.
Bigger picture
Levels can look normal during a gout attack, so timing matters.
Is it right for you?
Worth considering if…
- You’ve had a sudden, painful swollen joint (often the big toe).
- You’ve had kidney stones.
- You have metabolic risk or high blood pressure.
A better option if…
- You have ongoing joint pain without attacks - ESR, rheumatoid factor and CRP may be more useful.
How it’s measured
Lab blood draw
Often included in larger panels.
The full picture
What is it?
A natural waste product filtered by the kidneys.
What type of test is it?
A blood biomarker.
What does it measure?
Uric acid concentration.
Why might someone consider it?
It predicts gout and kidney stones, and tracks with metabolic health.
Who is it most relevant for?
People with gout symptoms, stones or metabolic risk.
How is it performed?
A blood draw.
How often might it be considered?
Occasionally, or regularly during gout treatment.
What can the result help you understand?
Your gout risk and a clue to metabolic health.
What are its limitations?
Levels can be normal during a gout attack; alcohol and diet shift it.
What should it be viewed with?
Kidney function, blood pressure, fasting insulin and triglycerides.
Where to get it
Through your provider
The simplest route - often covered when there’s a clear reason.
Lab services
e.g. Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp.
Direct-to-consumer panels
e.g. Function Health, InsideTracker.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Is my uric acid high enough to matter?
- Should I change what I drink?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
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Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your Uric acid result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
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Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test