The Uric Acid test is a blood test that measures the level of uric acid in the blood, also referred to as serum uric acid. Uric acid is a natural waste product formed when the body breaks down purines, chemical compounds found in certain foods such as red meat, organ meats, shellfish, and alcohol, as well as in the body's own cells during normal cell turnover. Under normal conditions, uric acid dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys, and is excreted from the body through urine. When the body produces too much uric acid or the kidneys excrete too little, uric acid accumulates in the blood, a condition known as hyperuricaemia.
Over time, excess uric acid can crystallise and deposit in the joints, causing a painful form of inflammatory arthritis known as gout. Gout is one of the most common metabolic joint diseases in India and its prevalence is rising rapidly due to changing dietary patterns, increased consumption of red meat and alcohol, and the growing burden of metabolic syndrome. Uric acid crystals can also accumulate in the kidneys and urinary tract, leading to kidney stones and in severe or untreated cases to chronic kidney disease. The Uric Acid test is therefore an essential diagnostic and monitoring tool not just for gout but for overall metabolic and kidney health.
The test involves a simple blood draw of approximately 2 ml from a vein in the arm and is completed in under five minutes.
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Doctors prescribe a Uric Acid test in the following situations:
Diagnosing gout in patients presenting with sudden severe joint pain, swelling, redness, and warmth, most commonly affecting the big toe, ankle, or knee. Gout attacks are intensely painful and are one of the most common presentations of elevated uric acid in Indian men above 40 years of age.
Monitoring uric acid levels in patients already diagnosed with gout or hyperuricaemia to assess the effectiveness of urate-lowering therapy such as allopurinol or febuxostat and to guide dosage adjustments.
Evaluating kidney stones particularly uric acid kidney stones, which account for approximately 5 to 10% of all kidney stones in India. Patients with recurrent kidney stones are routinely screened for elevated uric acid as a contributing factor.
Screening patients with metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, as hyperuricaemia is frequently associated with all of these conditions and contributes to their progression.
Monitoring patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy where rapid cell breakdown releases large amounts of purines into the bloodstream, causing a sudden and dangerous rise in uric acid known as tumour lysis syndrome.
Evaluating patients on diuretic medications, particularly thiazide diuretics commonly used for hypertension in India, as these drugs reduce uric acid excretion and can precipitate gout in susceptible individuals.
Routine preventive health screening as part of an annual health checkup particularly for men above 40 years of age and postmenopausal women who are at higher risk of hyperuricaemia.
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The Uric Acid test measures the concentration of uric acid in the blood, reported in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) or micromoles per litre (umol/L).
Normal Uric Acid Range in India
The standard reference ranges used across most Indian diagnostic laboratories are as follows.
For men, a normal serum uric acid level is between 3.5 and 7.2 mg/dL. For women, a normal serum uric acid level is between 2.6 and 6.0 mg/dL. Women generally have lower uric acid levels than men due to the effect of oestrogen on uric acid excretion. After menopause, uric acid levels in women rise and approach those of men.
Interpreting Uric Acid Results
A uric acid level above 7.2 mg/dL in men and above 6.0 mg/dL in women is classified as hyperuricaemia. Not all individuals with hyperuricaemia develop gout or kidney stones, but the risk increases significantly with higher and more sustained elevations.
A uric acid level above 9.0 mg/dL significantly increases the risk of acute gout attacks and uric acid kidney stone formation and typically warrants initiation of urate-lowering therapy alongside dietary modifications.
A uric acid level below the normal range, a condition known as hypouricaemia, is less common but can be seen in certain liver conditions, kidney disorders, and as a side effect of some medications.
The target uric acid level for patients being treated for gout with urate-lowering therapy is below 6.0 mg/dL as per guidelines followed by Indian rheumatologists, as maintaining levels below this threshold prevents crystal formation and reduces the frequency of gout attacks.
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Preparation for a Uric Acid test requires some specific attention to diet and medication.
Fasting for 4 to 8 hours before the test is recommended for the most accurate result as a recent high-purine meal can temporarily elevate uric acid levels. You may drink water normally during the fasting period. Our team confirms preparation requirements at the time of booking.
Avoid consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test. Alcohol, particularly beer, significantly raises uric acid levels and can produce a misleadingly elevated result even in individuals whose baseline uric acid is normal.
Avoid consuming high-purine foods such as red meat, organ meats, shellfish, sardines, and anchovies for 24 hours before the test for the most representative baseline reading.
Inform the phlebotomist about all medications you are currently taking. Diuretics, aspirin, niacin, cyclosporine, and certain chemotherapy drugs can affect uric acid levels and your doctor will factor this into the interpretation.
Stay normally hydrated before sample collection. Adequate hydration supports accurate uric acid measurement and is also beneficial for kidney health in patients with hyperuricaemia.
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If you are booking through SecondMedic platform the Uric Acid test price in Srinagar can cost you around Rs. 216.
The exact price for your Uric Acid test in Srinagar will be confirmed at the time of booking through SecondMedic. If your doctor has prescribed multiple tests alongside Uric Acid, SecondMedic health packages available in Srinagar include Uric Acid as part of a broader metabolic or kidney function panel at a significantly lower combined price.
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SecondMedic provides home sample collection for Uric Acid test across all major areas of Srinagar. You do not need to visit a lab or collection centre. A certified and trained phlebotomist comes to your home or workplace at your chosen time, collects the sample using sterile single-use equipment, and ensures it is transported to the NABL-accredited lab within the required time window for accurate processing.
Please note that SecondMedic provides free home sample collection on all tests priced above Rs. 300. Our team will check your pincode and confirm if your address in Srinagar falls under our free sample collection eligibility criteria, which depends upon the lab location and phlebotomist availability.
Home collection in Srinagar is available between 7 AM and 10 PM, seven days a week, including Sundays and public holidays. Enter your pincode on the booking page or call our helpline to confirm availability at your address in Srinagar.
Yes, Uric Acid test is available in Srinagar through SecondMedic with home collection and walk-in options. As one of the most commonly prescribed metabolic tests in India, SecondMedic ensures Uric Acid testing is accessible across all major serviceable areas in Srinagar.
If you are booking through SecondMedic platform the Uric Acid test price in Srinagar can cost you around Rs. 216. The exact price will be confirmed at the time of booking and may vary if booked as part of a broader metabolic or kidney function panel.
Your Uric Acid report will be delivered within 24 hours of sample collection in Srinagar directly on WhatsApp and email. No physical visit to any centre in Srinagar is required to collect the report.
All Uric Acid samples collected in Srinagar are processed at NABL-accredited partner laboratories using validated enzymatic assay methods. Accurate uric acid measurement is essential as gout treatment and urate-lowering therapy dosage are directly based on serial uric acid values.
Yes, SecondMedic provides home sample collection for Uric Acid test across all major areas of Srinagar. For best results, avoid alcohol and high-purine foods for 24 hours before the home collection visit and fast for 4 to 8 hours before the sample is collected.
Yes, home collection for Uric Acid test in Srinagar is available on Sundays and all public holidays between 7 AM and 10 PM. Gout patients requiring regular uric acid monitoring can book any day without scheduling constraints.
Uric Acid test is prescribed to diagnose gout, evaluate recurrent kidney stones, and monitor the effectiveness of urate-lowering therapy in patients with hyperuricaemia. It is also routinely checked in patients with metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease where elevated uric acid is a common and often overlooked finding.
Normal serum uric acid levels in India are 3.5 to 7.2 mg/dL for men and 2.6 to 6.0 mg/dL for women. For patients on gout treatment, the target level is below 6.0 mg/dL to prevent crystal formation and reduce the frequency of gout attacks.
An elevated uric acid above the normal range indicates hyperuricaemia, which significantly increases the risk of gout attacks, uric acid kidney stones, and in the long term contributes to kidney damage and cardiovascular disease. Levels above 9.0 mg/dL typically warrant initiation of urate-lowering therapy alongside strict dietary modification.
Content Reviewed By
Reviewed by:
Dr. Kovid Pandey
MBBS, General Physician
Last Reviewed: 10th Mar 2026
References
1
Indian Rheumatology Association: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Gout, Indian Journal of Rheumatology, 2020
— pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2
American College of Rheumatology: Guideline for the Management of Gout, Arthritis Care and Research, 202
— pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov