Uric acid,
a waste product that is an end product of purine
nucleotide metabolism, combines with sodium
ions to form crystals of monosodium urate.
Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia can develop
with overproduction or insufficient excretion
of uric acid, and this is fairly common and is
usually of no clinical significance. However,
there is an increased likelihood of urate crystal
deposition and the formation of microscopic
crystals of monosodium urate when serum
urate levels increase to 6.8mg/dL (404mcmol/L)
or above