Uric acid is a semisolid organic compound made of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen. It has a chemical formula of C5H4N4O3. Uric acid is a nitrogenous byproduct of protein and purine metabolism. It is the primary nitrogenous component found in the urine of birds, reptiles, and insects. Purines are found in good quantity in animal food products, mostly their internal organs. Uric acid is also present in human urine in very small amounts, but it is present in large quantities in excreta of birds and of reptiles.

Sometimes, the uric acid is gets crystallized in human kidneys or bladder in the form of urates. This situation may result in the formation of kidney stones. However, people suffering from with gout may eventually get uric kidney stones. Gout normally occurs when serum uric acid levels are as low as 6 mg/dL, but it is also a possibility that a person with serum count as high as 9.5 mg/dL may not have gout.

The elevated uric acid count can be lowered by the use of various drugs that lead to a rise in uric acid excretion, and by renal tubular defects. Uric acid count can also be high due to hereditary reasons. In certain cases, diet may also be an influencing factor.