Uric Acid levels

[Mark Anthony]

Thanks for this forum.  I recently went thru several emg's (six months apart).  Though all came out to be normal my uric acid content went up a full point to 8.1.  I have had my emgs done on my limbs but not my upper cranial(SP) area.  Would uric acid levels be an indication of impending ALS onset even though EMG were normal?  Please explain to me the possibilities here.
Is there a correlation between uric acid and ALS?  And does uric acid set in before weakness and atrophy of affected limbs.  Thanks

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Rauymond:

With a normal EMG exam, you do not have ALS.  Although I find it hard to believe it was normal if you have weakness and atrophy of your limbs.  Was this statement just concerning a possible correlation between uric acid and ALS?  Elevated uric acid levels can be seen in a variety of diseases such as proximal renal tubular acidosis, gout, amino acid problems, etc.  I would not place too much emphasis on uric acid levels.  The classic findings of ALS are gradual muscle weakness, increased reflexes with normal sensation.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Original poster]

My concern is that I jumped up a full point in my uric acid lab from Jan of 99 to August of 99.  The question is posed as to whether or not uric acid increases , such as a full point , suggest that a nuerological disease is setting in.  Is it normal for a 37 year old male to have a increase of a full point in that shourt amount of time.  ALso, the first test in Jan, I fasted for 6 hours before test,  this last test in August,  I didn't fast.  WOuld this skew the results to a higher number or lower number or does it make a difference in such a test?

Please ansowser thanks

[Original poster]

My concern is that I jumped up a full point in my uric acid lab from Jan of 99 to August of 99.  The question is posed as to whether or not uric acid increases , such as a full point , suggest that a nuerological disease is setting in.  Is it normal for a 37 year old male to have a increase of a full point in that shourt amount of time.  ALso, the first test in Jan, I fasted for 6 hours before test,  this last test in August,  I didn't fast.  WOuld this skew the results to a higher number or lower number or does it make a difference in such a test?

Please ansowser thanks

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Original Poster:

Uric acid is such a non-specific test.  If you had gout it would be high, if you were metabolizing alot of protein it would be high, if you were making alot cells and having some cellular breakdown it would be high.  I would check with your family doctor about running some generalized test.  This would be especially important if you had joint pain, as it could be harbinger of rheumatological disease.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Original Poster:

Fasting might make a subtle difference as you would be metabolizing more protein but again, I would not worry to much about this being a sign of neurological problem.  Have your family physician do some testing.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[POSTER]

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A SUBTLE DIFFERENCE?

wOULD IT BE A FULL POINT VALUE?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Poster:

It would mean "subtle" or small variation that would be considered within lab error.  This would vary between labs as some labs have better assay methods or the technician is better.  So I can not say exactly a point or two because I do not deal with your lab.  Usually, a few points either way is not significant.

CCF Neuro MD