Hyperuricemia

Hyperuricemia occurs when there is too much uric acid (more than 6.8 mg/dL) in the blood.

When someone lives with hyperuricemia for a long time (20 years or more), excess uric acid is stored throughout their body. Crystallization of the uric acid as sodium urate can occur. These crystals accumulate in the joints and can set the stage for painful gout attacks. For someone with hyperuricemia, trauma, surgery or excessive consumption of purine-rich foods or alcohol can trigger a painful gout attack.