Uric Acid: Normal Range, High & Low Causes
What Uric acid measures
Uric acid forms when the body breaks down purines, found in many foods and in your own cells. The kidneys remove it. When levels stay high, crystals can form in joints (gout) or the kidneys.
Uric acid reference ranges
| Category | Conventional units | SI units |
|---|---|---|
| Adult men | 3.4 – 7.0 mg/dL | 202 – 416 µmol/L |
| Adult women | 2.4 – 6.0 mg/dL | 143 – 357 µmol/L |
| Common gout treatment target | Below 6.0 mg/dL | Below 357 µmol/L |
Many people with high uric acid never get gout, and gout can occur at normal levels during an attack.
Need to convert units? Use the mg/dL ↔ µmol/L converter.
Common causes of a high result
- Diet high in red meat, shellfish, sugary drinks and alcohol (especially beer)
- Obesity and insulin resistance
- Reduced kidney function
- Diuretics and some other medicines
- Genetic tendency to retain uric acid
- Rapid cell turnover, such as during chemotherapy
Common causes of a low result
- Uric-acid-lowering medicines
- Some inherited kidney conditions
- Severe liver disease
- Rarely, a very low-purine diet
How to prepare for the test
Fasting is often not required, but avoid alcohol and heavy purine meals the day before if your lab advises it.
How often to retest
When starting treatment, often every 2 to 5 weeks until the target is reached, then every 6 months.
Track Uric acid over time
Upload your reports and Labgist plots every Uric acid result on one timeline, converts units and shows what changed.
Get the appFrequently asked questions
What is a normal uric acid level?
About 3.4–7.0 mg/dL in men and 2.4–6.0 mg/dL in women.
Does high uric acid always cause gout?
No. Many people have raised uric acid without symptoms. Your clinician weighs the number against joint symptoms and kidney health.
Which foods raise uric acid?
Red and organ meats, shellfish, sugary drinks with fructose and alcohol, especially beer, can all raise it.
Related tests
Sources
This page is general education and was last updated 2026-10-30. It is not a substitute for medical advice. See our editorial approach.