The body creates uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are substances found in meats and other foods. Most of the uric acid in your body is carried by the blood to the kidneys to be excreted from the body in urine. Low uric acid levels, which are less common than high levels, are usually the result of certain medical conditions and are seldom serious. High levels can cause symptoms.
Normal Levels
Normal levels of uric acid in the blood range from 3.0 to 7.0 mg/dL, according to MedlinePlus. Doctors order a blood test when a patient exhibits symptoms of high uric acid levels, or when the patient has a medical condition or is undergoing treatment that could cause high uric acid levels. High uric acid levels usually require treatment and can lead to serious complications.
High Levels
Hyperuricemia is the medical term for high concentrations of uric acid in the blood. Hyperuricemia occurs when the body produces too much uric acid or cannot get rid of enough. High uric acid levels do not cause problems for some people; in others, the condition can cause kidney stones, kidney failure or gout, which is a type of arthritis. Certain types of cancer, chemotherapy and rapid weight loss can cause your body to make more uric acid. Specific genetic conditions, renal disease, alcoholism and other conditions can prevent sufficient excretion of uric acid. Certain medications, such as diuretics and aspirin, can cause high uric acid levels in the blood.
Low Levels
Low uric acid levels in the blood can be related to certain types of kidney disease, liver disease or exposure to toxic substances. Rare conditions, such as Fanconi syndrome and the genetic metabolic condition Wilson disease, can result in low uric acid levels. Some substances, such as estrogen, glucose and warfarin, can decrease uric acid levels.
Prevention and Treatment
Your doctor can monitor your uric acid levels if you are at risk for abnormal levels. You should contact your doctor if you have pain, redness or inflammation in one or more joints or if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, skin rashes and bleeding that does not clot. Your doctor might advise you to avoid foods that are high in purines and add foods to your diet that are low in purines. You might need to take medications or undergo other treatments to correct your uric acid level.
