High uric acid levels

High uric acid levels may result from the body producing too much uric acid, not eliminating enough, or both.

Causes of high blood uric acid levels include:

• Diuretics (water retention relievers)
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Drinking a lot of soda or eating too many foods containing fructose, a type of sugar
• Genetics, also known as hereditary traits
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• Kidney problems
• Leukemia
• Metabolic syndrome
• Niacin, also called vitamin B-3
• Obesity
• True polycythemia
• Psoriasis
• A diet rich in purines, abundant in foods such as liver, game meat, anchovies, and sardines
• Tumor lysis syndrome — a rapid release of cells into the blood caused by certain cancers or chemotherapy for those cancers

Individuals undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer may be monitored for high uric acid levels. The causes presented here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.