The uric acid test or serum urate test is not a routine test and is generally prescribed by a doctor to monitor the uric acid levels of a person who is undergoing treatment like radiation or chemother
The uric acid test or serum urate test is not a routine test and is generally prescribed by a doctor to monitor the uric acid levels of a person who is undergoing treatment like radiation or chemotherapy or to diagnose conditions like kidney stones or gout.
When is a Uric Acid Test Prescribed?
There are various types of tests for checking the levels of uric acid, like the urine test, which looks for a normal uric acid level in urine collected over a period of 24 hours. The serum uric acid test uses a blood sample for analysis and is the preferred method of screening for issues like gout or monitoring the uric acid levels of an individual undergoing chemo or radiation therapy.
A uric acid level test may be prescribed to a person:
- For the diagnosis or management of uric acid-related health conditions.
- For monitoring uric acid levels under ongoing treatment (to modify the same, if need be).
- Having high-risk factors for high or low uric acid levels.
- If they are displaying symptoms of gout or kidney stones.
- Recovering from or suffering from recurring kidney stones. Regular uric acid tests may be prescribed to help in analysing the reasons behind the condition.
A diagnostic lab test for uric acid levels should not be put off, as timely treatment in case of abnormal levels is quite important. High uric acid content may lead to conditions like gout or atherosclerosis (which may lead to a stroke or heart attack), while low levels can increase the risk factors for an individual in cases where they contract viruses like viral meningitis or worsen the outlook if one is suffering from diseases of the central nervous system. For enhanced ease, individuals can book a well-priced uric acid test online with an at-home sample collection facility at Max Lab.
Time Required for Test Report + Next Steps
In general, there are no preparations required before a uric acid test, like fasting. However, the same may vary from case to case, so it is best to consult a doctor about the same. After sample collection, the test report for the uric acid test is generated within 24 hours and can be collected from a nearby Max Lab or downloaded from our website.
As there are several factors that can affect one’s uric acid levels, it is always recommended that one consults their doctors with the results, so they may perform a proper diagnosis and suggest further steps, as required.