Uric Acid

Measured in mg/dL

A waste product from the normal breakdown of substances called purines, cleared mainly by your kidneys — the level alone doesn't tell the whole story.

What it is

Uric acid is a normal waste product your body makes when it breaks down purines, which come from your own cells and from some foods and drinks; most of it dissolves in your blood and gets filtered out by your kidneys into urine. The level reflects a balance between how much you produce and how well it's cleared, so kidney function, hydration, some medications, and recent diet or alcohol can all shift it. A raised level on its own doesn't mean much without context — many people with elevated uric acid never develop symptoms — so it's commonly reviewed alongside kidney function tests and your symptoms and history.

Typical range

  • Male3.7–8.0 mg/dL
  • Female2.7–6.1 mg/dL

Source · Mayo Clinic Laboratories (URIC) (2026)

Reference ranges vary between laboratories, and what is normal for you depends on your own history. Your own lab’s range is the one printed on your report.

Worth asking your clinician

  • Could any of my medications, hydration, or recent diet have influenced this result?
  • Does my uric acid level mean anything on its own, or does it only matter alongside symptoms?
  • Should we look at my kidney function results together with this number?