Gout (Uric Acid)

About This Test

Gout manifests as abrupt, intense bouts of pain, swelling, redness, and sensitivity in joints, often targeting the base joint of the big toe and frequently occurring at night. It's possible to develop gout if your blood has elevated uric acid levels. Our Uric Acid Test (Gout Test) gauges uric acid concentration in your blood. Occasionally, the body produces excessive uric acid, or the kidneys struggle to eliminate it efficiently, resulting in crystal formation in specific joints, leading to gout. Elevated uric acid levels can also contribute to kidney stones, renal failure, or other health complications.

Signs & Symptoms

Abnormally high levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) can be present without causing any apparent signs and symptoms (asymptomatic) or may cause a range of signs and symptoms, such as:

• Painful, stiff, or swollen joints
• Redness around swollen joints
• Joints that are warm to the touch
• Sudden, severe attacks of pain in the big toe or other joints, such as the ankle or knee
• Back or side (flank) pain
• Urine that is cloudy, has an unusual odor, or contains blood
• Frequent urination
• Nausea or vomiting
• Recurring kidney stones

Our Gout (Uric Acid) test is available for anyone experiencing the signs & symptoms listed above. You must be 18 years of age or older to order

How This Test is Performed

Sample collection will involve obtaining a blood sample through venipuncture, where a needle is used to draw blood from a vein.

Preparing for Your Test