Urate

• About
• Hyperuricemia
• References

About

Uric acid, or urate for short, is the most important lab test in gout management. Urate chemistry is what drives gout. Precursors to urate are called purines and are found in many foods. Urate is produced by the body metabolising purines and is excreted by the kidneys¹. In gout, the body is creating more urate than it is excreting. This leads to hyperuricemia, or a high serum uric acid level.

Hyperuricemia

Hyperuricemia is a necessary but not sufficient condition for gout. Most people with hyperuricemia do not develop gout.

References

1. Maiuolo J, Oppedisano F, Gratteri S, Muscoli C, Mollace V. Regulation of uric acid metabolism and excretion. Int J Cardiol. 2016 Jun 15;213:8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.08.109. Epub 2015 Aug 14. Erratum in: Int J Cardiol. 2023 Sep 15;387:131126. PMID: 26316329.