According to BS.CKII Nguyen An Chau - General Director of Minh Anh International Hospital, uric acid in the blood is mainly excreted through the kidneys. Therefore, prolonged high uric acid levels can affect kidney health, even if the patient has never had a gout attack.
When uric acid levels in the blood are high, urate crystals can deposit in the interstitial tissue of the kidneys and the urinary tract system. This condition can form urate stones, causing kidney tube blockage, and at the same time triggering an inflammatory reaction, thereby damaging kidney tissue and affecting kidney function.
According to doctors, kidney damage related to prolonged increased uric acid mainly occurs through the deposition of urate crystals, combined with inflammatory reactions and blockages in the urinary system. Therefore, you should not only pay attention to uric acid when typical symptoms of gout have appeared.
People with high uric acid should periodically check their kidney function to detect abnormalities early. Notable tests include creatinine, urea, BUN and eGFR. In addition, urine analysis, uACR test (albumin/creatinine urine ratio) and abdominal ultrasound can also help assess kidney and urinary tract conditions.
The link between uric acid and kidney disease occurs in both directions. When kidney function declines, the ability to excrete uric acid also decreases, causing uric acid levels in the blood to increase. Conversely, prolonged high uric acid can promote the deposition of urate crystals and inflammatory reactions in the kidneys, making kidney damage worse. These two conditions can therefore interact and make the progression of the disease more complicated.
To reduce the risk of kidney damage, people with high uric acid need to control blood uric acid levels, maintain a proper diet and lifestyle. At the same time, it is necessary to control related diseases and review medications that can increase blood uric acid according to the doctor's instructions. Regular monitoring of uric acid and kidney function helps detect abnormalities early, thereby having appropriate intervention measures.
