Final answer:
Uric acid levels above 7 mg/100 ml in the blood plasma indicate gout. Excessive levels of uric acid lead to the formation of sodium ureate crystals, causing deposits in joints and potentially forming uric acid stones or gouty arthritis. Dietary changes, like reducing intake of purine-rich foods, can help manage gout.
Step-by-step explanation:
Uric acid levels above 7 mg/100 ml indicate gout. The concentration of uric acid exceeds this threshold in the blood plasma, leading to precipitation of uric acid as sodium ureate crystals. These crystals are unable to be excreted by the body and are subsequently deposited in soft tissues, with abnormal accumulation particularly in the joints and tendons. In humans, the miscible pool of uric acid, which refers to the total amount dissolved in the body, ranges between 3.4 to 7.0 mg/dl for males and 2.4 to 5.7 mg/dl for females.
The role of uric acid as an aid to diagnosis is significant, considering that its normal concentration in the blood is 2.4 to 7.0 mg/dl. Conditions such as excessive tissue destruction, high non-vegetarian diets, kidney dysfunction, and certain diseases can lead to increased blood levels of uric acid, resulting in the formation of uric acid stones and gouty arthritis. Food choices that limit nitrogenous base intake, like xanthines found in tea, coffee, and chocolate, are recommended for individuals with gout.