What Are Uric Acid Crystals?

Uric acid is a waste product that forms as part of the natural processes that occur in the body. Normally, excess uric acid is eliminated from the body in the urine. However, if the levels of uric acid circulating in the body become too high, the acid can solidify into uric acid crystals.

Uric Acid Often Causes Gout in the Big Toe

Uric Acid

Uric acid forms as the result of the breakdown of purines. Purines are organic compounds that are part of the structure of genes. The body produces purines naturally, and many foods contain purines.

Gout

When the body does not eliminate enough uric acid, it forms solid uric acid crystals in joints, causing a painful condition called gout.

Tophi

If gout is not treated, the uric acid crystals can build up, forming hard lumpy deposits called tophi.

Other Risks of High Uric Acid

High levels of uric acid may also cause kidney stones or kidney failure.

Causes of High Uric Acid

According to the Mayo Clinic, factors that may cause high uric acid levels include drugs used to treat high blood pressure, drinking too much alcohol, ingesting too much caffeine, family tendency, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, underactive thyroid, leukemia, niacin, obesity, psoriasis, too much purine in the diet and some immune-suppressing drugs.

References

• Mayo Clinic - High Uric Acid Level

Resources

• Photo of Uric Acid Crystals