Uric Acid

Uric acid is a natural residual product from the digestion of foods containing purines. Purines is found at high levels in some foods, such as:

• Some meat
• Sardines
• Dried beans
• Beer

Purines are also formed and broken down in your body.

Normally, your body filters uric acid through your kidneys and urine. If you consume too much manure in your diet or if your body can't get rid of this by-product fast enough, uric acid can build up in your blood. A high level of uric acid is known as hyperuricemia. This can lead to a condition called gout that causes painful joints that accumulate crystals. It can also make blood and urine too acidic.

Symptoms of High Uric Acid Level

You may not have any symptoms.

• If blood uric acid levels are significantly elevated and you have chemotherapy for leukemia or lymphoma, you may have symptoms of kidney problems or gouty arthritis from high levels of uric acid in the blood.
• You can have fever, chills, fatigue if you have some tumors and uric acid levels are high (caused by tumor lysis syndrome)
• You might notice an inflammation of a joint (called "gout") if uric acid crystals are deposited in one of the joints
• You may have kidney problems (caused by kidney stones) or problems with urination

Causes of High Uric Acid Level

Very often, a high level of uric acid occurs when the kidneys do not effectively remove uric acid. Things that can cause this slowing in the elimination of uric acid include rich foods, overweight, diabetes, taking some diuretics (sometimes called water pills) and consuming too much alcohol. Other less common causes are a diet rich in elements containing purines or the body that produces too much uric acid.

Factors that can cause high blood uric acid levels include:

• Diuretics (water retention agents)
• Drink too much alcohol
• Genetics (hereditary tendencies)
• Hypothyroidism (inactive thyroid)
• Drugs that suppress immunity
• Niacin or vitamin B-3
• Obesity
• Psoriasis
• Diet rich in manure - liver, game, anchovies, sardines, bread, beans and dried peas, mushrooms and other foods
• Kidney diseases (inability of the kidneys to filter waste)
• Tumor lysis syndrome (rapid release of blood cells caused by certain types of cancer or chemotherapy for these types of cancer)

You may also be monitored for high levels of uric acid when undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer.

Treatments of High Uric Acid Level

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) and Tylenol®, such as naproxen sodium and ibuprofen, can help relieve gout-related pain. Gout may be the result of a high level of uric acid.
• If you want to avoid NSAIDs because of the type of cancer or chemotherapy you are receiving, you can help with paracetamol (Tylenol () up to 4000 mg a day (two additional tablets of resistance every 6 hours).
• It is important not to exceed the recommended daily dose of Tylenol, as it can cause liver damage. Discuss it with your doctor.
• Uricosuric drugs: these drugs work by blocking the reabsorption of urate, which can prevent deposits of uric acid crystals in the tissues. Examples of uricosuric drugs include probenecid and sulfinpyrazone.
• Xanthine oxidase inhibitors - such as allopurinol, prevent gout. However, it can cause a worsening of gout symptoms when taken during an episode of painful joint inflammation.
• Allopurinol can also be administered in the presence of some form of leukemia or lymphoma, to prevent the complications of chemotherapy and tumor lysis syndrome and not necessarily to prevent gout. With high levels of uric acid in the blood, uric acid will collect and form crystals in the kidneys due to your illness. This can occur during chemotherapy and can cause kidney failure.