Are hyperuricemia and high uric acid the same thing?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on February 20, 2025
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Firstly, hyperuricemia and high uric acid levels refer to the same concept, defined as blood uric acid levels greater than 420. This condition is described as asymptomatic hyperuricemia, which does not require special treatment at this stage, but it does necessitate changes in lifestyle habits such as abstaining from alcohol, avoiding eating animal organs, seafood, and high-protein foods, not drinking carbonated beverages, and losing weight if obese, to help control body weight. After changing these lifestyle habits, a recheck of the uric acid levels should be done in two weeks to see if there has been a decrease. If the levels have not decreased at that time, sodium bicarbonate tablets can be used to alkalinize the urine. Additionally, increasing water intake to promote the excretion of uric acid and monitoring the dynamic changes in uric acid levels are needed. Once joint pain occurs, which indicates an acute gout attack, proper uric acid-lowering medication is required. (Please undergo medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate blindly.)

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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What foods should be avoided with hyperuricemia?

Hyperuricemia generally requires a low-purine diet. So, what foods should be avoided? First, seafood and sea fish, as they have a high purine content and should not be consumed. Second, avoid animal organs like chicken and duck kidneys. Third, abstain from alcohol, especially strong spirits and beer, which tend to raise uric acid levels, so it's recommended to avoid them. Fourth, it is advised not to consume long-cooked broths, such as those commonly enjoyed in Guangdong where the broth is simmered for several hours, as these also have high purine content. Fifth, limit intake of some bean products and various mushrooms, as these should also be consumed minimally.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Is hyperuricemia dangerous?

Hyperuricemia is generally diagnosed when the blood uric acid level in males exceeds 420 micromoles per liter and in females exceeds 360 micromoles per liter. Some patients with hyperuricemia are asymptomatic, but others may develop gouty arthritis, characterized by local joint redness, swelling, heat, and pain, and even limited mobility. Some patients may develop gouty nephropathy, leading to abnormal kidney function. There are also instances of patients developing tophi, which can cause joint deformity and even limited mobility. Therefore, if hyperuricemia is not controlled promptly, it poses certain risks and may lead to complications such as tophi, gouty arthritis, and gouty nephropathy.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Treatment of Hyperuricemia with Medication

The treatment of hyperuricemia primarily involves dietary control, focusing on low-purine foods, increasing water intake, and maintaining regular exercise. Additionally, alkalizing the urine using sodium bicarbonate to keep the urine pH between 6.2 and 6.9 can help facilitate the excretion of uric acid. It's also important to avoid medications that can increase uric acid levels. For reducing uric acid, treatments mainly include probenecid, which can increase the excretion of uric acid, and febuxostat, an alternative to allopurinol, though side effects of these medications should be noted. Therefore, it is advised for patients with hyperuricemia to consult a doctor at a reputable hospital before taking any medications.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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What fruits to eat for hyperuricemia?

For patients with hyperuricemia, we generally need to limit the intake of high-purine foods, such as crab and animal offal. Moderate consumption of medium-purine foods, such as meats and fish, is acceptable. Low-purine foods like vegetables, fruits, milk, and eggs can be safely consumed. For example, fruits like grapes, pears, grapefruits, kiwis, and dragon fruits are all acceptable to eat. However, many patients with hyperuricemia also have other metabolic abnormalities, such as high blood sugar. In such cases, it is important to monitor the quantity of fruit intake because excessive consumption can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Therefore, fruits can be safely consumed by those with hyperuricemia, but attention must be paid to any additional metabolic abnormalities that may be present.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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What should be avoided with hyperuricemia?

Foods to avoid for hyperuricemia include those high in purines. Here is a list of foods that are high in purines: 1. Seafood, such as some shellfish, shrimp, crab, and certain fishes. 2. Broths that have been simmered for a long time, as they tend to contain higher levels of purines. 3. Certain mushrooms should be consumed less, such as shiitake and straw mushrooms. 4. Animal organs should be avoided as much as possible. 5. Alcohol, especially strong spirits and beer, should be avoided; instead, it's important to drink plenty of water, ensuring to consume 1500 to 2000 milliliters daily.