What causes high uric acid levels?
May 20, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Aihua
Introduction
Causes of hyperuricemia include excessive intake of purines. High consumption of purine-rich foods directly promotes increased uric acid synthesis. In such cases, patients should restrict their intake of purine-rich foods—particularly avoiding fish—and consume more alkaline foods, such as vegetables and fruits. Additionally, overproduction of endogenous purines—resulting from disorders in normal purine metabolism—can also lead to hyperuricemia.
Hyperuricemia is a common condition; many individuals discover elevated uric acid levels during routine health check-ups. So, what causes hyperuricemia?
What Causes Hyperuricemia?
Hyperuricemia may result from excessive purine intake. Consuming large amounts of purine-rich foods directly promotes increased uric acid synthesis. In such cases, patients should restrict their intake of purine-rich foods—especially fish—and instead consume more alkaline foods, such as vegetables and fruits. Endogenous overproduction of purines, often due to disturbances in daily purine metabolism, can also lead to hyperuricemia. Appropriate medical treatment should be initiated promptly to control the condition. In approximately 90% of hyperuricemic patients, impaired renal excretion of uric acid and abnormal purine metabolism contribute to compromised kidney function responsible for uric acid handling.
Elevated uric acid levels are commonly associated with gout, acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, renal tuberculosis, hydronephrosis, eclampsia, chronic leukemia, polycythemia vera, excessive intake of nucleoprotein-rich foods, uremic nephritis, hepatic disorders, chloroform or lead poisoning, hypothyroidism, multiple myeloma, leukemia, and pregnancy-associated polycythemia. Individuals diagnosed with hyperuricemia are advised to undergo further diagnostic evaluation.
Follow-up testing after initiating treatment for hyperuricemia primarily aims to improve the likelihood of successful management and prevent disease onset triggered by unstable uric acid levels. Follow-up evaluations are especially critical for patients with hyperuricemia, given its unpredictable and recurrent nature. Regular, standardized follow-up assessments are essential to monitor disease progression and evaluate recovery status. We hope this information proves helpful!
