Uric acid
Also reported as: Urate · Serum urate
The end product of purine metabolism, cleared mainly by the kidneys.
Ranges are sex-specific; women's upper bound is typically around 6.0 mg/dL.
Crystal formation becomes likely above about 6.8 mg/dL, and metabolic associations appear well below that. Very low urate has its own associations, so this is not a number to minimise.
To convert to µmol/L, multiply by 59.48.
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Where the thresholds sit
| Band | Range (mg/dL) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Low | < 3 | — |
| Optimal | 3.5–5.5 | — |
| Acceptable | 5.5–6.5 | — |
| Borderline | 6.5–7.2 | — |
| Elevated | > 7.2 | Gout risk rises sharply above the saturation point of ~6.8 mg/dL. |
Why it matters
Best known for gout, but of wider interest as a marker that tracks fructose intake, alcohol and insulin resistance. Elevated urate is associated with hypertension, kidney disease and cardiovascular events, though whether it causes them or simply accompanies metabolic dysfunction remains genuinely unsettled.
What raises it
- Fructose, which is uniquely potent here
- Alcohol, especially beer
- Purine-rich foods — organ meats, shellfish, anchovies
- Insulin resistance
- Thiazide and loop diuretics
- Dehydration and prolonged fasting
What lowers it
- Reduced fructose and alcohol
- Weight loss
- Cherries and vitamin C, modestly
- Allopurinol and febuxostat
- SGLT2 inhibitors
How to move it
- 1Cut fructose first — sugar-sweetened drinks raise urate more than steak does, which surprises most people.
- 2Reduce alcohol, beer in particular.
- 3Stay well hydrated.
- 4If you have had gout, diet alone rarely gets urate below target; that is a conversation for a doctor.
- 5Note that a prolonged fast temporarily raises urate — do not test mid-fast.
What moves this marker
Interventions on this site with evidence behind them for this specific marker. None of them replaces working out why yours is where it is.
What makes a single reading misleading
- Rises during fasting and ketosis, which can alarm people doing everything else right.
- Whether lowering urate in someone without gout improves outcomes is not established.
- Very low urate is associated with neurodegenerative disease in some cohorts.
Sources
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Educational only. Reference ranges are not diagnostic thresholds and this page cannot account for your medical history, medication or symptoms. Discuss any result that concerns you with a qualified clinician. See our medical disclaimer.