High Uric Acid (Hyperuricemia)

Most of the time, a person with a higher-than-average level of uric acid in their blood will not have any symptoms – but someone with sustained hyperuricemia may experience gout or kidney stones. The condition occurs when the kidneys are unable to rid the body of uric acid following consumption of certain foods, alcohol or diuretics. Patients who are obese, who drink large amounts of alcohol, whose diet includes a large amount of purine, or who have hypothyroidism, psoriasis or renal insufficiency are all more likely to develop hyperuricemia. Treatment of this condition depends on the specific reason behind it, but often includes medications such as Allopurinol or Febuxostat.