The lab test you've never heard of that you'll want to get done.
Today's episode calls out a new application for an old lab test that you've probably never heard of, or had run on your physical exam. We're talking about Urate. If you HAVE heard of this test, you probably have gout, or know someone with gout. That's because this lab test (historically) has only been used to assess people for gout. In today's episode, we talk about the "new" use for urate testing that will surprise you, and why I'd advocate for the following changes for how we decide to test urate. We should be testing women for uric acid levels if they have no other obvious cardiovascular risks. We should be testing women for uric acid if they have a family history of gout, but don't have gout themselves. We should be re-testing uric acid in women after they transition into menopause. We shouldn't tolerate the current reference range in both Canada and the US, because the reference range is focused on gout. I know that talking about cardiovascular disease isn't exciting, but what IS exciting is finding a lab test that helps us predict your future risk of disease. Given that cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer of women, any hints about your risk are important to me. I'd love it if it was important to you too.