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Uric Acid

Urate

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5127, Beaker: URIC, Antrim: 17097

Department

Chemistry

Instructions

It is preferred that the patient is fasting prior to specimen collection.

Specimen Collection Criteria

FOR EC AND INPATIENT SAMPLE COLLECTION ONLY:

Preferred Sample:  One Light Green (Mint) Top or Dark Green with Yellow Ring Plasma Separator Tube (PST). Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL 

Acceptable Sample:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL) 

FOR PHYSICIAN OFFICE/OUTREACH SAMPLE COLLECTION:

COLLECT:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood:  4.0 mL) 

Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.
See Minimum Pediatric Specimen Requirements for Microtainer^® collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged SST tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged SST tube, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Moderate to grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection.

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes and Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Canton Chemistry Laboratory
Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory 
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory 
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory 
Troy Chemistry Laboratory
Taylor Chemistry Laboratory
Trenton Chemistry Laboratory
Wayne Chemistry Laboratory 

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
STAT results available within 1 hour of receipt in the Chemistry Laboratory.
Routine results available within 4 hours.

Reference Range

Age related reference range:

Sex	Age	Range (mg/dL)
Male	0 – 13 years	1.5 – 7.6
Male	14 years – adult	3.5 – 7.2
Female	0 years – adult	2.6 – 6.0

Test Methodology

Enzymatic, Spectrophotometry.

Interpretation

• Elevated uric acid most commonly occurs in renal failure, prerenal azotemia (including dehydration), gout, and cases of excessive cell destruction (e.g. following chemotherapy and radiation therapy, hemolytic anemia, in myeloma, pernicious anemia, large acute myocardial infarction). Severe acidosis, toxemia of pregnancy and a variety of endocrine disorders (e.g. hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, hypo- and hyperparathyroidism) may also be associated with increased serum uric acid. A number of drugs (e.g. diuretics, low dose aspirin, nicotinic acid) and lead poisoning can also cause increased levels. Hereditary gout occurs in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and glycogen storage disease type 1. Only a minority of individuals with hyperuricemia actually develop gout.
• Hypouricemia frequently occurs with SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion). It may also be seen with drugs (e.g. high dose aspirin, allopurinol, probenecid, corticosteroids, massive doses of vitamin C), poor dietary intake of purines and protein, renal tubular defects and xanthinuria (deficiency of xanthine oxidase).

Clinical Utility

• Uric acid measurements aid in the diagnosis and management of numerous renal and metabolic disorders, including renal failure, gout, leukemia, psoriasis, starvation or other wasting conditions, and of patients receiving cytotoxic drugs.
• It is recommended that patients being treated for gout maintain a uric acid level of less than 6 mg/dL. (1)

Reference

1. 2012 American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for Management of Gout. Part 1. Arthritis Care and Research. 2012; 64:1431-46.

CPT Codes

84550

Contacts

Last Updated

10/23/2023