What does serum uric acid mean?

High uric acid levels in the blood are known as hyperuricemia, which is associated with increased uric acid production or decreased excretion. Excessive uric acid production is more common in eating too much purine food, such as animal viscera, beef, mutton, seafood, etc. The metabolic end product of purine is uric acid, so a high purine diet will cause an increase in uric acid concentration in the blood. Reduced uric acid excretion is normally seen in enzyme defects in purine metabolism, such as some kidney diseases resulting in abnormal renal function. In addition, there are secondary hyperuricemia, such as hyperproteolysis and inhibition of uric acid excretion. Any cause of increased uric acid production or decreased excretion will cause increased blood uric acid levels. Generally speaking, blood uric acid levels greater than 420umol/L in men and 360umol/L in women are diagnosed as hyperuricemia.