Gout Diagnosis

In order to be diagnosed^[12] with gout, some tests will have to be conducted. The purpose of these tests is to find traces of uric acid and determine whether urate crystals are the cause of the inflammation or pain you may feel in a given area. Those tests are as follows:

• Joint fluid tests: This involves using a needle to draw fluid from the affected joint(s). This fluid can then be tested, and urate crystals, if present, will be visible when held under a microscope.
• Blood tests: You may be given a blood test, which can be used to measure the levels of uric acid and creatinine present in your blood. Sometimes, however, these results can be misleading, as it’s possible to have high uric acid levels and not have gout. Ultimately, blood tests are useful in providing a baseline understanding of your uric acid and creatinine levels.
• X-rays: An X-ray may be used to rule out other possible health conditions as the cause of your inflammation.
• Ultrasound: Musculoskeletal ultrasounds can be used to detect urate crystals in a joint. This method of detecting gout is used more commonly in Europe than in the United States.
• CT scans: This technology can detect urate crystals in a joint, even when the area is not inflamed. While this test is not widely used in clinical practices due to its high cost, it is one of the best ways of detecting whether uric crystals are present in a given area.