Hyperuricemia is the presence of excess uric acid in the body's blood products. Various diseases, such as hyperthyroidism or an excessive level of thyroid hormones in the body, can cause hyperuricemia. It can also be caused by inflammation of the kidneys, called nephritis. People with multiple sclerosis may be prone to hyperuricemia, and in addition, people with bone marrow cancer may be at risk.
People who are fed intravenously may also be at risk for high uric acid content. Certain medications such as allopurinol, which is used to treat gout, can also cause hyperuricemia, as can excessive alcohol use or alcoholism. High levels of fructose, fruit sugars and fruit juices, can also cause the condition.
Hyperuricemia can also be the causative factor for various conditions. High uric acid concentrations can lead to kidney or bladder stones, which then have to be painfully passed or surgically removed. High uric acid can also be a causative factor for gout, which is a painful arthritis of the joints.
Humans do not have the enzyme that breaks down uric acid, and normally, most people exhibit a normal range or substance. Normal is defined as no more than 6 milligrams per deciliter of blood products in women, and no more than 7 milligrams per deciliter of blood in men. Vegetarians often have much less uric acid, because they don't eat meat, which is quite high in uric acid. If one is borderline in their measurements, adapting to a vegetarian diet may solve the problem so that it does not progress to hyperuricemia.
Diagnosis is made by evaluating urine and blood samples. The presence of kidney or bladder stones, or the presence of gout, or any of the above diseases or predispositions to hyperuricemia may indicate periodic testing. When hyperuricemia is persistent, treatment focuses on reducing the amount of uric acid in the body.
Various medications, called uricosurics, can break down uric acid. These include probenecid and sulfinpyrazone. However, most uricosurics can have adverse side effects and may be contraindicated in the elderly as they can be toxic. Occasionally, those taking these drugs can develop hypersensitivity to them, which can quickly lead to kidney failure in the worst case.
Treatment of this condition remains problematic due to significant side effects of uricosurics. Current research involves developing drugs with fewer side effects. Little research is being done to eradicate hyperuricemia, although research on some of its causative conditions may eventually reduce the incidence.