What are the symptoms of hyperuricemia?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on April 02, 2025
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Some patients with hyperuricemia are asymptomatic, while others may suffer from complications such as gouty arthritis, gouty nephropathy, and tophi. Gouty arthritis is very common clinically and is primarily characterized by localized joint redness, swelling, heat, and pain. The commonly affected joints include the first metatarsophalangeal joint, ankle joint, and wrist joint. In cases of gouty nephropathy, patients may exhibit high levels of uric acid and increased creatinine levels, which may manifest as frequent urination, nocturia, and swelling of the lower limbs. If gout crystals deposit in the joints, they can form tophi, leading to joint deformities and restricted movement.

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Treatment of Hyperuricemia

Hyperuricemia is becoming increasingly common in today's life, and its treatment is divided into two main aspects: lifestyle interventions and medication treatment. For lifestyle, the main focus should be on healthy eating, quitting smoking, maintaining regular exercise, and proper weight control. Regarding diet, a strict low-purine diet is essential, especially avoiding the consumption of animal offals, meat broths, seafood, and beer. Additionally, it is important to alkalinize urine, which can be done using substances like baking soda or soda water. Also, ensure to drink plenty of water, maintaining a daily intake of over 2000 milliliters, and control other risk factors that can cause hyperuricemia, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. In terms of medication, the choice of drugs should be based on the different causes of hyperuricemia. If it is due to a uric acid excretion disorder, drugs like probenecid may be used. If it is due to an overproduction of uric acid, medications like allopurinol could be considered. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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How is hyperuricemia caused?

Hyperuricemia is mostly asymptomatic, meaning there are no uncomfortable symptoms. It is usually discovered during physical examinations or blood tests when the uric acid level is found to be elevated, around 420, which is considered hyperuricemia. What causes it? It is mainly caused by poor lifestyle habits, such as long periods of drinking alcohol, excessive intake of animal organs, seafood, barbecue, and too much protein intake. Additionally, some people may develop high uric acid levels due to prolonged use of diuretics. When hyperuricemia occurs, it is essential to change lifestyle habits, but at this time, no special medication treatment is needed.

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Hyperuricemia treatment agent

Currently, the main treatments for hyperuricemia in clinical practice include the following types. One category is drugs that inhibit uric acid synthesis, primarily allopurinol and febuxostat. Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, which mainly works by preventing the conversion of hypoxanthine and xanthine into uric acid through the inhibition of xanthine oxidase. Febuxostat, on the other hand, is a newer xanthine oxidase inhibitor and may be more effective than allopurinol in lowering blood uric acid levels. Another category includes drugs that promote the excretion of uric acid, suitable for patients with normal renal function and hyperuricemia. These mainly include probenecid, benzbromarone, and some use of thiazide diuretics, though their effectiveness for hyperuricemia is somewhat controversial. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Hyperuricemia Clinical Symptoms

Some patients with hyperuricemia may not have any symptoms, and only discover elevated uric acid levels during a physical examination. However, some patients may experience gouty arthritis, manifesting as redness, swelling, heat, and pain in a localized joint, commonly in the joints of the toes. It may also affect joints like the ankle and elbow. Additionally, some patients may develop gouty nephropathy, leading to renal insufficiency. Therefore, hyperuricemia should be taken seriously to prevent severe conditions such as gouty arthritis and other serious symptoms associated with gout.

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Can hyperuricemia be cured?

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disease caused by disorders in purine metabolism and is clinically divided into primary and secondary categories. Primary hyperuricemia is caused by congenital abnormalities in purine metabolism and is often associated with obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease. Secondary hyperuricemia, on the other hand, is caused by certain systemic diseases or medications. Therefore, whether hyperuricemia can be cured depends on the underlying condition, and the efficacy of treatment cannot be generalized. For hyperuricemia caused by medications or systemic diseases, it can be cured by treating the disease or discontinuing the medication. However, for hyperuricemia caused by congenital abnormalities in purine metabolism, it can be clinically managed by controlling diet and medication, but it is not curable.