Uric Acid

Test Code

URIC

Alias/See Also

URCA, URIC

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)

Transport Container

PST (light green top). Red top and SST also acceptable

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 1 day, Refrigerated: 3-5 days, Frozen: 6 months

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Grossly hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable.

Limitations

Xanthine has been reported to decrease the URCA result by 40%. Formaldehyde (formalin) has been reported to give negative interference.

Reference Range

Age	Female	Male
Adult (>19 years):	2.6-7.2 mg/dL	2.6-7.2 mg/dL
Pediatric:
0 – 31 days	1.3-6.2	1.2-4.9
1 – 3 months	1.3-5.8	1.3-5.3
4 - 6 months	1.3-6.2	1.4-6.4
7 – 12 months	1.4-6.2	1.4-6.7
1 – 3 years	1.7-5.0	1.7-5.0
4 – 6 years	2.2-4.7	2.2-4.7
7 – 9 years	1.9-5.0	1.9-5.0
10 – 11 years	3.0-4.7	2.3-5.4
12 – 13 years	3.0-5.8	2.7-6.8
14 – 15 years	3.0-5.8	2.4-7.9
16 – 19 years	3.0-5.9	4.0-8.7

Clinical Significance

Numerous metabolic disorders result in abnormal uric acid levels, as well as wasting diseases, thyroid disorders, psoriasis, decreased renal function, polycystic kidney, gout, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and treatment with chemotherapeutic agents. High levels of purines in the diet, or conditions leading to increased destruction of nucleoproteins (e.g. leukemia, hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, and others) may result in increased uric acid levels. Low levels have been associated with a number of disorders, including xanthinuria and treatment with uricosuric drugs, cortisone, coumarins, or high doses of salicylates.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.