Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (1267 page)

   Levels increase with age and protein content in the diet.

   Administration of GH, testosterone, and insulin decrease the urine levels.

URIC ACID (2,6,8-TRIOXYPURINE, URATE)

   Definition

   Uric acid is an end product of purine catabolism; it is released as DNA and RNA are degraded by dying cells. Most uric acid is synthesized in the liver and intestinal mucosa. Two thirds is excreted by the kidneys, and one third is excreted via the GI tract.

   
Normal range:

   Male: 2.5–8.0 mg/dL

   Female: 1.9–7.5 mg/dL

   Use

   Monitor treatment of gout

   Monitor chemotherapeutic treatment of neoplasms to avoid renal urate deposition with possible renal failure (tumor lysis syndrome)

   Interpretation

Increased In

   Renal failure (does not correlate with severity of kidney damage; urea and creatinine should be used)

   Gout