High uric acid (hyperuricaemia) happens when the body produces too much purine or the kidneys excrete too little. The main complication is gout — sudden severe joint pain, classically in the big toe.
Target levels: <7.0 mg/dL (men), <6.0 mg/dL (women).
High-purine foods to avoid: organ meats, red meat, seafood (especially shrimp & shellfish), beer, sugary drinks high in fructose.
Safe to eat: vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy, whole grains, unsweetened coffee.
Routine checks: every 6 months for active gout patients; yearly for at-risk groups (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, family history).