Uric acid
uric acid test · gout blood test · serum urate
This is a blood test from a vein. It shows your uric acid level. Too much of it can cause joint pain.
For painful, swollen joints, especially the big toe, for kidney stones, high blood pressure, or at a checkup.
⏱ Duration: the blood draw takes a few minutes; results usually come the next day
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Food. Usually fasting: no food for 8 to 12 hours. Plain water is fine. Check with the lab.
- The day before. For 1 to 2 days, eat less meat, organ meats, and fish. No alcohol and no hard workouts.
- Medicines. Do not stop them on your own. Tell your doctor what you take. They will decide if anything should change.
What to bring
- Your test request form
- Your ID
- Past test results, if you have them
How it goes
- You sit down and rest your arm on the armrest
- A band is tightened above your elbow
- The skin is wiped with antiseptic
- A quick prick, and blood fills a tube
- The needle comes out, and a cotton pad is pressed on the spot
What you'll feel
- A quick prick, like a pinch
- Sometimes slight dizziness. Tell the nurse
Afterwards
- Press the cotton pad for 3 to 5 minutes and keep your arm straight
- You can eat right away and go back to your usual day
- Results usually come in 1 day. The lab will tell you when
Common questions
Does high uric acid mean gout?
Not always. The doctor diagnoses gout from your symptoms and an exam, not just the test.
Can I take the test during an attack?
Yes, but during an attack the level is sometimes normal. Your doctor may ask you to repeat it later.