This is an increased level of uric acid in the blood due to reduced excretion of uric acid or increased cell turnover.

It may be associated with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, and may occur in disorders of purine synthesis such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

Note that in gout serum urate levels may be normal during an acute attack and thus the optimal time for measurement is about two weeks after a flare resolves (1).

Reference:

• 1. Pulse (1/4/09), 29.