The body gets rid of uric acid mainly through the kidneys. Uric acid travels in the blood to the kidneys, which filter it into urine so it leaves when you pee. The digestive tract also helps remove some uric acid. Your body usually balances the amount it makes with the amount it clears; levels can rise when it makes too much or removes too little.
What Is Uric Acid, and Why Does the Body Produce It?
Uric acid is a natural waste product formed when the body breaks down substances called purines. Purines are found in the body's cells and are also present in certain foods and drinks. As old cells break down, the body recycles or processes their components, producing uric acid as part of this process. According to MedlinePlus, purines from food and beverages also contribute to the amount of uric acid the body produces.
Although uric acid is a waste product, it is normal to have some circulating in the bloodstream. The body continually produces it and removes it. Problems can arise when production exceeds elimination or when the body's removal systems do not clear enough uric acid to maintain balance. When uric acid builds up in the blood, the medical term for this is hyperuricemia.
How Do the Kidneys Remove Uric Acid?
The kidneys are the main organs responsible for removing uric acid from the body. They continuously filter blood, remove waste products, and help control the balance of water and other substances. Uric acid travels through the bloodstream to the kidneys, where kidney structures called tubules help determine how much uric acid returns to the blood and how much passes into the urine.
This process is more complex than simply filtering all the uric acid out. Some uric acid is reabsorbed into the bloodstream, while some is released into the urine. The kidneys adjust the balance between these processes as part of their normal handling of uric acid. MedlinePlus Genetics describes how proteins involved in kidney transport help regulate whether urate, the form of uric acid found in body fluids, returns to the blood or leaves through the urine.
Once the uric acid enters the urine, it travels through the urinary tract and leaves the body when you urinate. This is the main route by which the body eliminates uric acid. The kidneys' ability to handle uric acid is therefore important in maintaining a healthy balance, although blood uric acid levels are influenced by both how much the body produces and how much it removes.
Does the Digestive System Also Remove Uric Acid?
Yes. The digestive tract provides another route for uric acid elimination. Some uric acid passes from the bloodstream into the gastrointestinal tract, where bacteria help break it down into other substances. This means that uric acid removal does not depend entirely on the kidneys.
According to Mayo Clinic Laboratories, approximately 75% of the uric acid eliminated from the body leaves through the urine, while most of the remainder enters the gastrointestinal tract and is broken down by bacterial enzymes. These are approximate proportions, but they illustrate why both kidney function and processes in the digestive tract contribute to uric acid balance.
Why Can the Body Have Trouble Getting Rid of Uric Acid?
Uric acid levels can rise when the body produces more than usual, removes less than it needs to, or experiences both changes. A high blood uric acid result does not necessarily mean that the kidneys have stopped working properly. Several factors can affect the balance, and the reason is not always obvious from a blood test alone.
- Reduced kidney function: Kidney problems can interfere with the body's ability to remove uric acid through urine.
- Inherited differences: Genetic variations can affect how the kidneys and digestive tract transport urate, influencing how much remains in the body.
- Medicines: Certain medicines, including some diuretics, can affect uric acid levels. Prescribed medicines should not be stopped or changed without medical advice.
- Dehydration: Not having enough fluid in the body can be associated with higher uric acid levels.
- Increased production: A high intake of certain purine-rich foods, alcohol, or fructose-sweetened drinks can contribute to raised levels. Increased breakdown of cells can also raise uric acid production in some medical situations.
Mayo Clinic identifies kidney problems, certain medicines, dehydration, and factors associated with increased uric acid production among the possible reasons for high blood levels. A healthcare professional considers the person's medical history, medication use, test results, and other relevant findings to help determine which factors may be involved.
What Happens When Uric Acid Builds Up?
If more uric acid remains in the body than is eliminated, its concentration in the blood can increase. Over time, excess uric acid may form sharp crystals in joints or surrounding tissues. These crystals can trigger gout, an inflammatory form of arthritis that may cause sudden joint pain, swelling, warmth, and redness. Uric acid can also contribute to certain types of kidney stones.
However, having a high uric acid level does not automatically mean that someone has gout or will develop kidney stones. Some people have elevated levels without related symptoms. The result should be interpreted alongside any symptoms, medical history, examination findings, and other tests that may be needed.
Can You Help Your Body Get Rid of Uric Acid Naturally?
Everyday habits can support normal uric acid balance, although they do not correct every cause of elevated levels. Staying adequately hydrated helps maintain normal urine production. The amount of fluid that is appropriate can vary, particularly for people who have been advised to restrict fluids because of kidney or heart problems.
Diet can also influence the amount of uric acid the body produces. Limiting excessive alcohol intake, reducing sugary drinks containing fructose, and avoiding frequent large servings of purine-rich foods may help some people manage uric acid levels. These changes can be useful, but the effect varies, and diet alone may not be sufficient when kidney function, genetics, or other medical factors affect uric acid handling.
Mayo Clinic recommends adequate water intake and appropriate dietary changes as part of self-care for people with gout. Prescription medicines may also be needed in some circumstances. Some medicines reduce the amount of uric acid the body makes, while others help the kidneys remove more of it. The choice depends on the person's condition, kidney function, other medicines, and treatment goals. Do not take uric-acid-lowering medicines or supplements without appropriate medical guidance.
How Can Doctors Check Whether Uric Acid Is Being Removed Properly?
Healthcare professionals can measure uric acid in the blood to assess its concentration. They may also request a urine test when they need more information about uric acid excretion or the risk of certain kidney stones. A urine test may involve collecting urine over a 24-hour period so the laboratory can measure the amount passed during that time.
MedlinePlus explains that blood and urine uric acid tests are used for different clinical purposes, including evaluating gout and certain kidney-stone concerns. The results do not always reveal the full reason for an abnormal level on their own. A healthcare professional may consider kidney function tests, other laboratory results, current medicines, and the person's symptoms before deciding what further evaluation or care is appropriate.
Seek medical assessment if you have a persistently abnormal uric acid result, repeated episodes of a painful or swollen joint, or symptoms that may suggest a kidney stone, such as sharp pain in the side or back or blood in the urine. Severe pain accompanied by fever, repeated vomiting, or difficulty passing urine needs prompt medical attention.
The Bottom Line
The body removes uric acid mainly through the kidneys and urine, with the digestive tract providing an additional elimination route. Healthy uric acid levels depend on the balance between production and removal. Adequate hydration and appropriate dietary habits can support that balance, but elevated levels may also reflect genetic factors, medicines, or underlying health problems. When results are abnormal or symptoms occur, medical evaluation can help clarify the cause and whether treatment is needed.