Gout Information

The presence of certain diseases

Any disease in which there is a rapid breakdown and turnover of bodily cells will raise levels of uric acid in the blood. In severe psoriasis, for example, the turnover of skin cells is much faster than normal. This has an effect on the degradation of purines, on the levels of uric acid produced and on the elimination of uric acid by the kidneys. Increased turnover of the bone marrow, in leukaemia and glandular fever for example, can also raise levels of uric acid.

Overweight diabetics with insulin resistance are at risk of developing hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricemia because their uric acid is not effectively excreted by the kidneys. (Insulin resistance means the cells have difficulty converting glucose to energy. In an effort to compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin, which creates higher circulating levels of insulin than normal.) The result is often abnormal cholesterol and lipid levels, as well as weight gain. Raised levels of uric acid can also result from hypothyroidism (abnormally low activity of the thyroid gland) and disorders of the parathyroid glands (four small glands located behind the thyroid gland).

The use of certain medications

Diuretics (water tablets) prescribed for high blood pressure can lead to