The uric acid (urate) blood test explained — what it measures, its link to gout, and how it is reported in Australia.
A uric acid test measures the level of urate in the blood. Urate is a normal breakdown product of purines — substances found in the body and in many foods. The body usually clears urate through the kidneys.
It is most often checked in relation to gout, a form of arthritis linked to urate crystals forming in joints, and sometimes in relation to kidney stones or while monitoring certain treatments.
In Australia, uric acid is reported in mmol/L.
Your GP chooses the test and the timing based on your individual situation.
It is a standard blood test. Timing can matter: urate levels can be misleadingly normal during an acute gout attack, so testing is often done — or repeated — once an attack has settled, to get a more representative result. Your GP will advise on timing.
Uric acid is reported in mmol/L, and reference points differ between men and women (typically reported lower in women). An important point is that the blood urate level and a diagnosis of gout are not the same thing: a "normal" urate does not rule gout out, and a raised urate does not always mean gout.
Reference intervals vary between laboratories. Always read the reference range printed on your own report, and only the clinician who ordered the test can interpret what your result means for you.
Yes. Urate can be normal during an acute attack, which is why a normal result does not rule gout out. The diagnosis is made by the clinician using the whole picture.
Because levels can shift during an attack, the test is often done or repeated after an acute attack has settled. Your GP will advise on the best timing for you.
Usually not, though it is sometimes included in a panel with tests that do require fasting. Your GP or the laboratory will tell you if any preparation is needed.