Our bodies eliminate liquid waste when we urinate. This waste consists of water, salts, urea and uric acid. Our body produces most uric acid naturally. Substances in certain foods known as purines are the source of the rest of the uric acid. A condition known as hyperuricemia can arise if there are high levels of uric acid in our body. We got to know from a kidney specialist doctor in Agartala that this condition increases the risk of having kidney disease.

Serum Urate Levels

The blood absorbs most uric acid and then it travels to the kidneys to be excreted in the urine. The stable serum urate level in men is between 2.5 to 7.0 mg/dL and it is between 1.5 to 6 mg/dL in women. You may have elevated serum urate levels if you produce too much uric acid or are unable to eliminate enough of it. This can lead to hyperuricemia.

Checking the level of uric acid is possible through a blood test. Testing a urine sample is also another way to check it. It is normal if your serum uric acid level is 6.0 mg/dL or lower. If the level is 6.8 mg/dL or higher, it means you have hyperuricemia.

Causes and Risk Factors

If you are male and ageing, you have a higher risk of developing hyperuricemia. Some other risk factors are:

  • Metabolic syndrome, which is a disorder involving dysglycemia (blood sugar disorders), abnormal blood pressure, dyslipidemia (lipid disorders) and obesity.
  • Renal insufficiency
  • Consumption of alcohol
  • Diet rich in protein, purines and carbohydrates
  • Some medications
  • Acidosis
  • Niacin
  • Chemotherapy
  • Diabetes
  • Psoriasis
  • Hypoparathyroidism
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Lead poisoning
  • Toxemia related to pregnancy
  • Tumour lysis syndrome
  • Genetic predisposition

Symptoms and Complications

When there is a prolonged state of hyperuricemia, uric acid crystals may develop and this can create a lot of problems. High uric acid levels can lead to kidney disease. Kidney stones form when uric acid crystals get deposited in the kidneys. If you don’t undergo proper treatment by a nephrologist in Agartala, the kidney stones can cause infections by blocking the urinary tract. These stones can also be very painful. The following are a few symptoms of kidney stones:

  • Pain in your lower back, side, abdomen or groin
  • Nausea
  • Pain when urinating
  • Increased urge to urinate
  • Difficulty in urinating
  • Blood in your urine
  • Cloudy and foul-smelling urine

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also happen due to kidney stones. As time passes, there can be chronic kidney disease from kidney stones and other forms of kidney damage. According to a kidney doctor in Agartala, there can ultimately be kidney failure or loss of kidney function if you don’t get treatment for kidney disease.

Treatment

When there are symptoms of hyperuricemia, you may have to consume a diet low in some non-plant-based purines. This often helps to regulate uric acid levels. The doctor may also prescribe medications to control uric acid levels. It will help the kidneys to flush out uric acid if you drink at least 8 ounces of water a day.