Uric acid (urate) is the final breakdown product of purines — nitrogen-containing compounds found in DNA, RNA, and certain foods including red meat, seafood, organ meats, and beer. The liver produces uric acid, which is then excreted primarily by the kidneys in urine and, to a lesser extent, through the gut.

Elevated uric acid (hyperuricaemia) can cause urate crystals to deposit in joints, causing gout — an acutely painful and debilitating form of inflammatory arthritis. Elevated uric acid is also associated with kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk. Low uric acid is less common but can occur with certain medications (allopurinol), kidney dysfunction causing increased excretion, or rare enzyme deficiencies.