Uric acid is a natural waste product that forms when your body breaks down substances called purines, found in certain foods and in your own cells. Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood, passes through your kidneys, and leaves your body in urine. However, when uric acid levels rise too high, it can cause serious health problems — including gout and kidney stones. This article explains what uric acid is, what causes levels to rise, and what you can do to protect your health.
What Is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a chemical compound that contains nitrogen. Your body produces it every day as it breaks down purines — building blocks found in your DNA, RNA, and many foods.
Once formed, uric acid enters your bloodstream. Your kidneys then filter it out and remove it through your urine. In a healthy person, this process keeps uric acid at a safe level.
According to Healthline’s overview of uric acid, normal uric acid levels are generally between 2.4 and 6.0 mg/dL for women and 3.4 and 7.0 mg/dL for men. Your doctor may use slightly different reference ranges depending on the lab.
How Uric Acid Affects Your Body
Your kidneys work hard to keep uric acid levels in a healthy range. They act as a natural filter, removing excess uric acid before it can build up.
However, this system does not always work perfectly. Sometimes the kidneys cannot remove uric acid fast enough. Other times, the body simply produces too much of it.
When uric acid builds up in the blood, doctors call this hyperuricemia. This means abnormally high uric acid levels in the blood. Over time, hyperuricemia can lead to serious conditions if it goes untreated.
What Happens When Uric Acid Gets Too High?
When there is too much uric acid in the blood, it can form tiny, sharp crystals. These crystals tend to settle in joints and soft tissues throughout the body.
As a result, these crystals trigger painful inflammation. This is the root cause of gout attacks and certain types of kidney stones.
Common Causes of High Uric Acid Levels
There are two main reasons uric acid levels rise: your body makes too much of it, or your kidneys do not remove enough of it. In many cases, both factors play a role at the same time.
Dietary Causes
Certain foods are high in purines, which break down into uric acid. Eating large amounts of these foods can raise your uric acid levels significantly.
Foods that are high in purines include:
Red meat and organ meats (liver, kidney)
Shellfish and certain fish (anchovies, sardines, mackerel)
Alcohol, especially beer
Sugary drinks and foods high in fructose
In addition, dehydration can make it harder for your kidneys to flush out uric acid. Drinking enough water every day is one of the simplest ways to support healthy uric acid levels.
Medical and Genetic Causes
Sometimes, high uric acid levels have nothing to do with diet. Certain medical conditions can cause your body to overproduce uric acid or your kidneys to underperform.
These conditions include:
Blood disorders such as leukaemia or lymphoma
Inherited enzyme disorders that affect how purines are processed
Kidney disease or reduced kidney function
Obesity and metabolic syndrome
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Certain medications, including some diuretics and low-dose aspirin
Furthermore, psoriasis — a skin condition — can also raise uric acid levels because of the rapid cell turnover it causes. Your family doctor can help identify whether an underlying condition is driving your elevated levels.
Uric Acid and Gout
Gout is one of the most well-known consequences of high uric acid. It is a form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals collecting in the joints. Gout is more common than many people think — it affects roughly one in forty Canadians.
A gout attack usually comes on suddenly, often at night. The most commonly affected joint is the base of the big toe, but gout can also strike the ankles, knees, wrists, and fingers.
Signs of a Gout Attack
Gout attacks can be extremely painful. Symptoms typically include:
Intense joint pain, often described as burning or throbbing
Swelling and redness around the affected joint
Warmth and tenderness — even a light touch can be unbearable
Limited range of motion in the joint
For more information on gout symptoms and treatment, visit the Mayo Clinic’s guide to gout. It provides a thorough look at how gout develops and what to expect during treatment.
Without treatment, gout attacks can become more frequent and more severe. Over time, uric acid crystals can form hard lumps under the skin called tophi. These can permanently damage joints if ignored.
Uric Acid and Kidney Stones
High uric acid levels can also lead to kidney stones. Uric acid stones form when uric acid crystallises inside the kidneys. These stones can be extremely painful and may require medical treatment to pass or remove.
Kidney stones made of uric acid account for roughly 10% of all kidney stones. Unlike calcium stones, uric acid stones do not show up on a standard X-ray. Therefore, your doctor may use an ultrasound or CT scan to find them.
Symptoms of Uric Acid Kidney Stones
If you develop a uric acid kidney stone, you may notice:
Sharp pain in your side, back, or lower abdomen
Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
Blood in your urine (pink, red, or brown colour)
Nausea or vomiting
A persistent need to urinate
In addition, some small stones pass on their own with plenty of fluids. However, larger stones may need treatment such as medication to dissolve them or a procedure to break them up.
How to Manage and Lower Uric Acid Levels
The good news is that uric acid levels are often manageable with lifestyle changes and, when needed, medication. Your approach will depend on how high your levels are and whether you have underlying conditions.
Lifestyle Changes That Help
Making changes to your daily habits can have a meaningful impact on uric acid levels. Here are some practical steps:
Stay hydrated: Aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water per day to help your kidneys flush out uric acid.
Limit purine-rich foods: Reduce red meat, organ meats, shellfish, and beer.
Avoid sugary drinks: Fructose-sweetened beverages are strongly linked to higher uric acid.
Maintain a healthy weight: Excess body weight puts more strain on your kidneys and raises uric acid production.
Increase low-fat dairy: Research suggests low-fat milk and yoghurt may actually help lower uric acid levels.
Eat more vegetables and fibre: A diet rich in plant foods supports overall kidney health.
Furthermore, regular moderate exercise — such as walking, swimming, or cycling — supports a healthy weight and reduces inflammation throughout the body.
Medical Treatments
When lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor may prescribe medication. Common options include drugs that reduce uric acid production (such as allopurinol) or drugs that help the kidneys excrete more uric acid.
During a gout attack, anti-inflammatory medications can relieve pain and swelling. Your doctor will choose the right approach based on your health history and how often you experience symptoms.
Health Canada provides guidance on medications used to manage gout and high uric acid. You can explore Health Canada’s resources on chronic disease management for more information on treatment options available in Canada.
When to See a Doctor
You should speak with your family doctor if you experience sudden joint pain, repeated gout attacks, or symptoms that suggest kidney stones. Do not wait for the pain to pass on its own — early treatment can prevent lasting damage.
If you do not have a family doctor, a walk-in clinic is a great option. Most provinces in Canada have walk-in clinics that can assess your symptoms, order a blood test to check your uric acid levels, and refer you to a specialist if needed.
A simple blood test called a serum uric acid test can measure your uric acid levels. Your doctor may also check your kidney function at the same time. Most provincial health plans cover this type of routine blood work when ordered by a physician.
It is also worth talking to your doctor if you have a family history of gout or kidney stones, even if you have no symptoms yet. Early monitoring can make a big difference in preventing problems down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uric Acid
What foods increase uric acid levels?
Foods high in purines are the main dietary drivers of high uric acid. These include red meat, organ meats, shellfish, sardines, and beer. Sugary drinks sweetened with fructose can also raise uric acid levels significantly.
What are the symptoms of high uric acid?
Many people with high uric acid have no symptoms at all. However, when uric acid forms crystals in the joints, it can cause sudden, severe joint pain, swelling, and redness — this is known as a gout attack. High uric acid can also lead to kidney stones, which cause back and side pain.
Can you lower uric acid naturally?
Yes, lifestyle changes can help lower uric acid in many cases. Drinking more water, reducing purine-rich foods, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight are all effective strategies. However, some people also need medication to bring their uric acid levels into a safe range.
Is high uric acid the same as gout?
No, they are not the same thing, though they are closely linked. High uric acid (hyperuricemia) is the underlying condition, while gout is the painful arthritis that can develop when uric acid crystals collect in the joints. Not everyone with high uric acid will develop gout.
How is uric acid tested in Canada?
A simple blood test called a serum uric acid test measures the amount of uric acid in your blood. Your family doctor or a walk-in clinic can order this test. Most provincial health plans cover this blood work when a physician orders it for a medical reason.
What is a normal uric acid level?
Normal uric acid levels generally fall between 2.4 and 6.0 mg/dL for women and 3.4 and 7.0 mg/dL for men, though lab reference ranges can vary slightly. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your individual health context. Levels consistently above 7.0 mg/dL are generally considered high.
Key Takeaways
Uric acid is a natural waste product created when your body breaks down purines from food and cells.
Healthy kidneys filter uric acid out of the blood and remove it through urine.
When uric acid levels rise too high, a condition called hyperuricemia develops.
High uric acid can cause gout — a painful form of arthritis — and kidney stones.
Diet, hydration, weight management, and medication can all help control uric acid levels.
A blood test from your family doctor or walk-in clinic can measure your uric acid levels quickly and easily.
Always speak with a healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or starting any new treatment for high uric acid.
