From the Guidelines
A uric acid level of 0.410 mmol/L is generally considered normal to slightly elevated, and is not typically a cause for concern if you're not experiencing symptoms. Normal uric acid ranges are typically 0.15-0.40 mmol/L for women and 0.20-0.43 mmol/L for men, though reference ranges can vary slightly between laboratories 1. Your level is just at the upper end of normal, which is usually not a cause for concern if you're not experiencing symptoms. However, if you have a history of gout, kidney stones, or other conditions affected by uric acid levels, even borderline elevations might be significant.
Key Considerations
- Uric acid is a waste product formed from the breakdown of purines, which are found in certain foods like red meat, seafood, and alcohol 1.
- If you're concerned about your level, dietary modifications such as reducing purine-rich foods, maintaining adequate hydration, limiting alcohol consumption (especially beer), and achieving a healthy weight can help manage uric acid levels naturally.
- Regular monitoring may be recommended if you have risk factors for gout or kidney disease.
Management and Prevention
- According to the American College of Physicians, target thresholds for serum urate levels rely on the chemistry of urate, which is soluble up to a concentration of about 404 µmol/L (6.8 mg/dL), above which precipitation may occur 1.
- However, this threshold is not absolute because patients with higher serum urate levels may still be asymptomatic, and some may have acute flares below this threshold.
- Although there is an association between lower urate levels and fewer gout flares, the extent to which use of urate-lowering therapy to achieve various targets can reduce gout flares is uncertain.
From the FDA Drug Label
The upper limit of normal is about 7 mg/dL for men and postmenopausal women and 6 mg/dL for premenopausal women. A uric acid level of 0.410 mg/dL is considered low, but the context of this value is unclear as the unit appears to be incorrect, it is likely that the value is 4.10 mg/dL which would still be considered low but within a potentially acceptable range for patients being treated with allopurinol, as the goal is often to reduce serum uric acid to normal or near-normal levels 2.
From the Research
Uric Acid Levels
- A uric acid level of 0.410 is not directly comparable to the values mentioned in the studies, as the units are not specified. However, the studies provide information on the normal and abnormal ranges of uric acid levels.
- According to the studies, the normal range of uric acid levels is not explicitly stated, but the studies mention that hyperuricemia is defined as a serum uric acid level above 6.0 mg/dL 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- The studies also mention that the treatment goals for uric acid levels vary, but a common goal is to achieve a serum uric acid level below 6.0 mg/dL 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Comparison of Uric Acid Levels
- The studies compare the efficacy of febuxostat and allopurinol in reducing uric acid levels in patients with hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease.
- According to the studies, febuxostat is more effective than allopurinol in reducing uric acid levels in some cases 4, 7, but allopurinol may be more effective in other cases 5, 6.
- The studies also mention that the efficacy of febuxostat and allopurinol may depend on the dose and duration of treatment, as well as the individual patient's characteristics 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Renal Function
- The studies also examine the effects of febuxostat and allopurinol on renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease.
- According to the studies, febuxostat may have a protective effect on the kidneys and slow the progression of renal disease in some cases 3, 4, 7, but allopurinol may be more effective in other cases 5, 6.
- The studies mention that the effects of febuxostat and allopurinol on renal function may depend on the individual patient's characteristics, such as the severity of kidney disease and the presence of other comorbidities 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.