Hyperuricemia condition and treatment

• If we keep high serum uric acid for long term, this could eventually lead to gout attack. 
• Over-consumption of red meat will increase uric acid levels in the blood and the risk of gout 
• Annual checkups give doctors a chance to make a diagnosis while offering advice and treatments before a condition has a chance to deteriorate. 

Hyperuricemia is a common abnormal condition that the medical definition means serum uric acid is higher solubility of serum monosodium urate, is 6.8 mg/dL at room temperature 37 oC 

Serum uric acid levels of 7 mg/dL will begin to increase the risk of monosodium urate induced arthritis or gout, as well as increase the chances of kidney stone developing. Therefore, serum uric acid level of more than 7 mg/dL are generally considered to signify Hyperuricemia. Other factors that can play a part in the onset of hyperuricemia are kidney function (creatinine level), body weight, age, gender, blood pressure and alcohol consumption. 

In children, serum uric acid level will be 3 – 4 mg/dL, due to the effectiveness of renal excretion. Then, in adolescence for men serum uric acid level will increase around 1–2 mg/dL and usually remain at this level for the rest of the lives. For women, however, serum uric acid level will hardly change at all until postmenopausal period, caused by female hormone, estrogen, which augment uric acid excretion through urination. After menopause, their uric acid level will gradually increase until close to male serum uric acid level. 

Serum uric acid that is more than 9 mg/dL increase the chance of developing gout 4.9% per year if compare to those whose uric acid level less than 7 mg/dL, which found only 0.1%. However, most people with hyperuricemia tend not to display any symptoms of gout, but rather show signs of metabolic syndrome instead, such as high blood pressure, high serum lipid level, obesity and insulin – independent diabetes mellitus. 

But if we keep high serum uric acid for long term, this could eventually lead to gout attack. It has been found that people with serum uric acid level above 9 mg/dL for 5 years will have a chance to develope gout 22%. Meanwhile those with uric acid level 7 – 8.9 mg/dL for the same 5 years period found only 3%. 

Gout is a disease that causes acute severe pain at the joint and usually affects males between the age of 40 – 60 years, as well as post-menopausal women. The first period of joint attack, it tends to affect only one joint. The most common affected joints are base of the great toe, next is top of foot and ankle. 

The definite diagnosis technique for gout is to take the fluid sample from the affected joint to examine for monosodium urate crystal. The monosodium urate crystal will be seen as needle-shaped crystal inside the white blood cells in the joint fluid. In case of synovial fluid is not available, we need the typical clinical character to support the diagnosis. 

Non-medicated treatments 

• Exercise and weight loss can lead to a reduction in uric acid levels and subsequently reduces the risk of gout. 
• Limit the consumption of red meat and seafood, because over-consumption of red meat will increase uric acid levels in the blood and the risk of gout. Eating grains, vegetables and nuts containing the high purine component, do not increase the risk of gout. 
• Reduce or quit the consumption of alcohol, especially beer or alcoholic beverages that have undergone distillation. 
• Limit the consumption of fruit juices or beverages that contain sugar. 
• Carefully manage other related conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high blood lipid levels. 

Medicated treatments  

Medicated treatments should only be carried out under the supervision and guidance of specialists who can perform the appropriate diagnosis and prescribe suitable medication. 

Undergoing annual health checkups can help doctors identify any irregularities. Annual checkups give doctors a chance to make a diagnosis while offering advice and treatments before a condition has a chance to deteriorate. However, if any irregularities related to uric acid levels are identified, reducing uric acid levels by making lifestyle adjustments is the most effective form of treatment. These changes can be made straight away, without risk or side effects, and can enable you to make a return to full health. 

As a leading provider of healthcare in Bangkok, Thailand, Samitivej offers a fully comprehensive medical examination program for both local and international patients. We strongly advocate preventive care and routine medical screenings. By catching diseases, disorders and conditions before their symptoms visibly manifest, we can save our patients time, discomfort and money.