What is uric acid?
Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines. It is removed mainly through the kidneys. The level can rise because of inherited tendency, reduced kidney excretion, dehydration, alcohol, diet, obesity, insulin resistance or medicines such as selected diuretics. A high result is called hyperuricaemia.
When high uric acid becomes clinically important
- repeated attacks of sudden, severe joint pain and swelling suggestive of gout;
- tophi, which are deposits of urate under the skin;
- uric-acid kidney stones or recurrent stone disease;
- kidney impairment that changes medicine selection and dosing;
- very high or rapidly changing levels that require assessment of the cause;
- uncertainty about whether long-term urate-lowering treatment is indicated.
Not every high result needs a uric-acid medicine
Major gout guidance generally advises against automatically starting long-term urate-lowering therapy for asymptomatic hyperuricaemia. Once gout is established and treatment is indicated, a treat-to-target approach is often used, with allopurinol commonly recommended as first-line therapy when appropriate—even in many patients with chronic kidney disease. Starting dose, titration, interactions and genetic risk require individualized review.
Lifestyle and weight-related factors matter, but gout should not be presented as a simple consequence of eating one food. The plan may address alcohol, sugary drinks, hydration, weight, diabetes, blood pressure, kidney function and medicines that raise uric acid, without creating a needlessly restrictive diet.
Why patients consult Dr. Fowad
Dr. Fowad is American Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology, with a Pakistan practice focused on obesity, diabetes and metabolic health. This background is useful when uric acid overlaps with kidney function, stones, blood pressure, diuretic use, insulin resistance or weight-related risk. Complex inflammatory arthritis or uncertain joint disease may require rheumatology assessment.
Searching for the best high-uric-acid doctor in Lahore?
Choose a clinician who first determines whether the patient has gout, stones, asymptomatic hyperuricaemia or another diagnosis; reviews kidney function and medicines; and explains why treatment is or is not needed. A promotional label does not replace that process.
Primary guidance
- American College of Rheumatology: 2020 guideline for the management of gout.
- American College of Rheumatology: treat-to-target and first-line urate-lowering guidance, May 2020.
This page is general education. Do not diagnose gout or start, stop or change allopurinol, febuxostat, colchicine, anti-inflammatory treatment or another medicine without individualized medical advice.