Gout Testing
Gout testing involves various tests that a doctor will order if he suspects that you are suffering from gout.
Gout tests include: Urinalysis, serum creatinine tests, complete blood count, serum uric acid measurements and aspiration of synovial fluid. High uric acid levels mean that the body is not breaking down purines (body waste products) well. This can cause crystals to form in the joints which results in inflammation and pain which is a symptom of gout. Uric acid can also give rise to crystals or kidney stones which can damage the kidneys. Low levels are not usually seen and are not a cause for concern. Uric acid test alone cannot diagnose gout. Some people with normal urate levels have gout while others who have high urate levels do not always have gout. The best test probably to diagnose gout is to examine the synovial fluid taken from a joint. This examination of joint fluid is done through light microscope and checks for the formation of uric acid crystals in polymorphnouclear leukocytes' synovial fluid. This test should only be carried out by an experienced doctor who can distinguish uric acid crystals from other crystals.
Gout Causes
Gout occurs when a person has a high level of uric acid. Uric acid is a substance that results from the breaking down purines which are waste products in the body. Uric acid normally dissolves in the blood, is filtered by the kidneys and passed out in the urine. When uric acid levels are high, crystals are formed which accumulate in the joints and tissues. The different types of gout are:
Acute Gouty Arthritis: This will be an extremely painful attack accompanied by fever; it may last for 2-10 days. The area will be red, swollen and warm when touched.
Interval Gout: This occurs after the first attack. Remember that gout will only be treated after a second attack.
Tophaceous Gout: Tophi are nodular masses made up of urate crystals. These usually occur after the first attack of gout.
Proper treatment can be administered once diagnosis has been made.
The inflammatory process in gout is painful and is first marked by a swelling, redness and severe pain in the big toe. It may also show up in the wrist, hand, foot, ankle, knee and elbow. On rare occasions gout is found in the spine, hips or shoulders. Gout does not spread from one joint to another. Symptoms of gout usually involve severe pains, tenderness, localized warmth, redness and inflammation of joint linings
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