High Uric Acid: What It Means and What You Can Do

High uric acid (hyperuricemia) shows up before most people get any symptoms. Sometimes it leads to painful gout attacks or kidney stones, and other times it’s a sign of metabolic or kidney issues. The good news: many simple changes cut your risk of flare-ups and lower levels without drama.

Uric acid is a waste product from breaking down purines, which come from foods and your own cells. Doctors check a blood test called serum uric acid. Numbers vary, but many clinicians aim for a level under 6 mg/dL to reduce gout risk. One test doesn’t tell the full story — your symptoms, kidney function and medication list matter too.

Common causes and warning signs

High uric acid appears for different reasons. Diets high in red meat, organ meat, shellfish, beer and sugary drinks (especially those with high-fructose corn syrup) raise levels. Certain medicines — like thiazide diuretics — can push levels up. So can obesity, high blood pressure, kidney disease and genetics.

Watch for sudden, severe joint pain (often the big toe), redness, swelling and tenderness. Those are classic gout attacks. Recurrent attacks, lumps under the skin (tophi), or kidney stones are signals you should act. If you have no symptoms but a high lab value, your doctor may monitor you or suggest lifestyle changes first.

Practical steps to lower uric acid and avoid flares

Start with easy, effective moves: cut beer and sugary beverages, reduce red meat and shellfish, and limit high-purine organ meats. Swap in low-fat dairy, whole grains, vegetables, and water. Staying well hydrated helps kidneys flush uric acid.

Losing weight gradually lowers uric acid and reduces flare risk — avoid crash diets because rapid weight loss can make levels spike. Regular, moderate exercise helps, too. Some people find cherries or cherry extract reduce flare frequency; think of them as a small, safe add-on rather than a cure.

If lifestyle steps aren’t enough, medications can help. Allopurinol and febuxostat lower uric acid long term. Probenecid helps some people by increasing excretion. For immediate flare control, doctors commonly use NSAIDs, colchicine or short steroid courses. Don’t stop or start prescription meds without talking to your doctor — timing and monitoring matter.

Keep an eye on other factors: control blood pressure, check kidney function, and review current medicines with your clinician. Some drugs interact with uric acid treatments or increase levels.

High uric acid is common and manageable. Get a baseline blood test, reduce beer and sugary drinks, aim for steady weight loss if needed, and talk to your GP about whether medication makes sense for you. Small, consistent changes usually make a big difference.