A uric acid blood test measures the amount of uric acid in a blood sample. Uric acid is a chemical produced when the body breaks down substances called purines, which are found in some foods and drinks. Most uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys, where it passes out in urine. However, if the body produces too much uric acid or does not remove enough of it, it can lead to hyperuricemia, which is a high level of uric acid in the blood.

A uric acid blood test is not done as a routine blood test, but it can be useful to measure it if you have a health problem that can cause or be caused by high uric acid levels. High levels of uric acid can cause gout, a common form of arthritis, and you may need to try and lower it. The test can also help diagnose and monitor people with gout, monitor people who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, check kidney function after an injury, find the cause of kidney stones, and diagnose kidney disorders.

The test is usually done as a basic blood draw, which takes just a few minutes. A healthcare professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle, and a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out, but this usually takes less than five minutes.

The test results tell you how much uric acid is in your blood, measured in milligrams (mg) of uric acid per deciliter (dL) of blood. The normal range of uric acid levels can vary based on sex and different labs, so it is important to check with your doctor to help you understand your result. You usually get results in 1 to 2 days, but it depends on your healthcare provider.