How to Dissolve Uric Acid Crystals

Last Updated: November 4, 2022 References Approved

If you've been experiencing sudden intense joint pain and lingering discomfort, you may be suffering from a type of arthritis called gout. Gout can be caused by high uric acid levels. Uric acid, a compound crystal, is usually filtered out by your kidneys and removed from your body through your urine. But, if you have high levels of uric acid, crystals can form causing conditions like gout. This is why lowering your levels of uric acid and dissolving these crystals is important. You can do this by taking medications, changing your diet, and exercising. Always talk with your doctor before modifying your diet or starting medications.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Taking Medications

1
Learn the risk factors for gout. If you have gout, a type of arthritis from high uric acid levels, crystals can form in the fluid around your joints. Although older men are more likely to get it, it can affect anyone. No one knows the true cause of gout, but certain risk factors include a diet high in meat and seafood, obesity, chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, family history of gout or if you are on certain medications.^{[1]
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- Gout causes inflammation and attacks of joint pain (usually at night and experienced in your big or great toe), along with redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness of the joint. The discomfort lingers for days to weeks after the attack ends and could actually develop into chronic gout, leading to impaired mobility.
2
Go to your doctor for an exam. If you have chronic gout, frequent or painful gout attacks, talk to your doctor about starting a prescription medication. Your doctor may do different tests to diagnose gout, including a blood test to measure your uric acid levels, a synovial fluid test (where a needle draws fluid from your joint), or an ultrasound or CT scan to detect urate crystals. With the results of the tests, your doctor will be able to decide if and which medication you should start.
- Your doctor may prescribe medications like xanthine oxidase inhibitors, uricosuric drugs, and other less common drugs such as colchicine, which is for acute gout attacks.
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3
Take xanthine oxidase inhibitors. These medications decrease the amount of uric acid your body makes which can lower your blood uric acid level.^{[2]
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Go to source} Your doctor will most likely prescribe these medications as a first form of treatment for chronic gout. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors include allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric). While these medications can cause an initial increase in gout attacks, they'll eventually prevent them. ^{[3]
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- Side effects of allopurinol include diarrhea, drowsiness, rash and low blood counts. Make sure to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day when taking allopurinol.
- Side effects of febuxostat include rash, nausea, joint pain and reduced liver function.
4
Try taking uricosuric drugs. These types of medications help your body to excrete more uric acid through your urine. Uricosuric drugs prevent your body from reabsorbing urate (uric crystals) back into your blood, which can reduce the concentration of uric acid in your blood.^{[4]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} You'll probably be prescribed probenecid, but it's not recommended if you have kidney issues. Start by taking 250mg every 12 hours for the first week. Your doctor may increase the prescription over time, but never to more than 2 grams (0.071 oz).
- Side effects of probenecid include rash, stomach pain, kidney stones, dizziness, and headache. To prevent kidney stones, you should drink at least six to eight full glasses of water a day while taking probenecid.
5
Avoid certain medications. Some medications, including thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide), and loop diuretics (such as furosemide or Lasix) should be avoided, since they can aggravate your condition. You should also avoid low doses of aspirin and niacin because they can also increase your uric acid levels.
- Don't stop taking medications without talking to your doctor. In many cases, there are alternatives available.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Making Diet Modifications

1
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Try to eat healthy, fiber-rich foods and lean proteins.^{[5]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} Foods that are high in dietary soluble fiber can help to dissolve uric acid crystals. The fiber helps to absorb the crystals, removing them from your joints and helping to eliminate them from your kidneys. You should also avoid saturated fats, like cheese, butter and margarine. Reduce your sugar intake, including high-fructose corn syrup and soft drinks, all of which can promote gout attacks. Instead try to include:^{[6]
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- Oats
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Raspberries
- Whole-wheat items
- Brown rice
- Black beans
- Cherries (Cherries can reduce gout attacks.^{[7]
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  Mayo Clinic
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  Go to source} One study showed that eating 10 cherries a day protected people from gout flare ups.)
- Low-fat or non-fat dairy
2
Avoid foods that can increase uric acid levels. Naturally occurring substances in food called purines are converted to uric acid by your body. Studies have shown that eating foods high in purines could lead to a gout attack within a few days of eating the foods.^{[8]
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Arthritis Foundation
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Go to source}^{[9]
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Go to source} Avoid high-purine foods including:^{[10]
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- Meats: red meat and organ meats (liver, kidney and sweetbreads)
- Seafood: tuna, lobster, shrimp, mussels, anchovies, herring, sardines, scallops, trout, haddock, mackerel
3
Watch what you drink and stay hydrated. Drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day has been shown to decrease gout attacks. Liquids generally count toward water recommendations, but it's best to stick to water. You should also minimize or cut out drinking alcohol since it can metabolize and increase uric acid levels.^{[11]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} If you do want to drink something other than water, look for drinks that aren't high in sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or caffeinated. Sugar can increase your risk of gout and caffeine can be dehydrating.
- You can still drink coffee in moderation (two to three cups a day). Some studies show that coffee may reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood, although the studies do not show a decrease in gout attacks.^{[12]
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  Go to source}
4
Get more vitamin C. Some studies show that vitamin C may reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood, although the studies do not show a decrease in gout attacks.^{[13]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} It's suggested that vitamin C can help your kidneys excrete uric acid.^{[14]
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Research source} Consider taking a 500 mg daily supplement after consulting your doctor. If you'd rather increase your vitamin C through your diet, try eating:^{[15]
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Research source}
- Fruits: cantaloupe, citrus, kiwi fruit, mango, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, watermelon
- Vegetables: broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green and red peppers, spinach, cabbage, turnip greens, sweet potatoes, potatoes, tomatoes, winter squash
- Cereals fortified with vitamin C
5
Exercise. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. One study showed that exercising 150 minutes a week reduces uric acid levels. It can also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and help you lose weight. Weight loss has been linked to lower blood uric acid levels.^{[16]
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Research source}
- Even lower physical activity has been linked to some reduction in uric acid levels. For example, if you can't jog for 30 minutes, try briskly walking for at least 15.^{[17]
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  Research source}

Expert Q&A
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Question

Do uric acid crystals go away?

Robert Dhir, MD
Board Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon
Dr. Robert Dhir is a board certified Urologist, Urological Surgeon, and the Founder of HTX Urology in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Dhir’s expertise includes minimally-invasive treatments for enlarged prostate (UroLift), kidney stone disease, surgical management of urological cancers, and men’s health (erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, and infertility). His practice has been named a Center of Excellence for the UroLift procedure, and is a pioneer in non-surgical procedures for ED using his patented Wave Therapy. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Georgetown University and was awarded honors in pre-medical studies, urology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Dr. Dhir served as chief resident during his urological surgical residency at University of Texas at Houston / MD Anderson Cancer Center in addition to completing his internship in general surgery. Dr. Dhir was voted Top Doctor in Urology for 2018 to 2019, one of the top three Best Rated Urologists in 2019 & 2020 for Houston Texas, and Texas Monthly has named him to the 2019 & 2020 Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars list.

Robert Dhir, MD

Board Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon

Expert Answer

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In general, uric acid crystals do not just go away. Removal requires specific treatment with medication and a careful diet that avoids foods that raise uric acid levels. It is best to speak to your doctor about a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs as they can take into account your weight, age, gender, current habits, etc., to ensure you’re getting the right plan.
Question

How do you flush uric acid out of your body?

Robert Dhir, MD
Board Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon
Dr. Robert Dhir is a board certified Urologist, Urological Surgeon, and the Founder of HTX Urology in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Dhir’s expertise includes minimally-invasive treatments for enlarged prostate (UroLift), kidney stone disease, surgical management of urological cancers, and men’s health (erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, and infertility). His practice has been named a Center of Excellence for the UroLift procedure, and is a pioneer in non-surgical procedures for ED using his patented Wave Therapy. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Georgetown University and was awarded honors in pre-medical studies, urology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Dr. Dhir served as chief resident during his urological surgical residency at University of Texas at Houston / MD Anderson Cancer Center in addition to completing his internship in general surgery. Dr. Dhir was voted Top Doctor in Urology for 2018 to 2019, one of the top three Best Rated Urologists in 2019 & 2020 for Houston Texas, and Texas Monthly has named him to the 2019 & 2020 Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars list.

Robert Dhir, MD

Board Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can reduce the levels of uric acid in your body in various ways. Some ways to do this include: Limiting or stop having alcohol, eat foods that don’t contain high levels of purine (e.g., don’t eat red meats, broths, gravies, organ or offal meats, sardines, herrings, scallops, anchovies, etc., as these are high-purine foods) and take appropriate medications as advised by your doctor. Try to limit sugar and saturated fats. Instead, add more foods to your diet that can help reduce uric acid, such as oats, leafy greens, broccoli, raspberries, cherries brown rice, wholewheat bread, and black beans. Cherries have been shown scientifically to have very good protective effect, so try to add a few of these each day to your diet if they’re readily available. Also be sure to exercise daily if this is possible, as it will help a lot.
Question

What neutralizes uric acid in the body?

Robert Dhir, MD
Board Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon
Dr. Robert Dhir is a board certified Urologist, Urological Surgeon, and the Founder of HTX Urology in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Dhir’s expertise includes minimally-invasive treatments for enlarged prostate (UroLift), kidney stone disease, surgical management of urological cancers, and men’s health (erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, and infertility). His practice has been named a Center of Excellence for the UroLift procedure, and is a pioneer in non-surgical procedures for ED using his patented Wave Therapy. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Georgetown University and was awarded honors in pre-medical studies, urology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Dr. Dhir served as chief resident during his urological surgical residency at University of Texas at Houston / MD Anderson Cancer Center in addition to completing his internship in general surgery. Dr. Dhir was voted Top Doctor in Urology for 2018 to 2019, one of the top three Best Rated Urologists in 2019 & 2020 for Houston Texas, and Texas Monthly has named him to the 2019 & 2020 Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars list.

Robert Dhir, MD

Board Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It is important to stop adding purine-rich foods to your diet to avoid increasing purine levels in your body. This includes such foods as red meat, organ or offal meats, sardines, shrimp, mussels, herring, anchovies, trout, haddock, scallops, lobster, mackerel, etc. Instead, add more foods that contain vitamin C, such as fortified cereals, fruits like pineapple, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, etc. and vegetables (most are good). Also, try to lower your sugar intake and eat low-fat dairy in place of saturated fats. Drink plenty of water and try adding some tart cherry juice to you diet, as it is thought to help reduce uric acid. Be careful about diets that suggest you can “alkalanize” your body, as ridding yourself of uric acid buildup is a lot more complicated than simply adding certain foods or substances to your body. It is always best to eat a healthy diet and exercise more, regardless of what you’re trying to fix.