A needle is inserted into the joint to withdraw a sample of fluid for testing.
The fluid is examined under a microscope to see if there are gout crystals or signs of a bacterial infection present. Sometimes other crystals can be found in the joint fluid, such as calcium pyrophosphate, which is caused by an entirely different condition called pseudogout (“like gout”).
Gouty arthritis is sometimes diagnosed based on the typical clinical presentation without a joint aspiration.
Blood tests
Your doctor may obtain a blood sample to look at your cell counts, uric acid levels, kidney function, etc.
Unfortunately, the level of uric acid in your blood cannot be reliably used to make a diagnosis of gout. It is normal in approximately 10% of people during an acute attack of gouty arthritis. Moreover, uric acid levels are elevated in 5%-8% of the general population, so the presence of an elevated level does not necessarily mean that gout is the cause of an inflamed joint. Interestingly, the uric acid is typically lowered during a flare of inflammatory gouty arthritis. Therefore, the optimal time to measure the uric acid is after a flare has resolved when acute inflammation is not present.
Radiographs
X-rays are primarily used to assess underlying joint damage, especially in those who have had multiple episodes of gouty arthritis.
Gout diagnosis is important in the treatment process of this painful condition. This article is going to cover the process that is followed to diagnose gout to help you understand gout.
Gout is usually diagnosed based on the symptoms that the patient is experiencing. The main symptoms of gout include swelling in a specific joint, pain, and redness associate with the affected area. The pain that is felt in the joint is extreme, it is a very uncomfortable condition to have. During a gout attack, most people have increase levels of pain when the joint is touched or moved. Eventually the pain may subside with proper treatment.
The cause of gout is increase uric acid levels in the body. As the uric acid levels become higher, the acid begins to collect in the joints and form crystals. Usually gout symptoms come in spurts, a person will experience a gout attack for a period of time and then with treatment the symptoms will decrease. If you are not following a good gout diet, the symptoms may continue to recur.
A doctor that is considering a gout diagnosis will first look at the symptoms that the patient is experiencing, and then the gout diagnosis will be performed by having additional tests done. Blood and/or tissue samples are sent to the lab to be examined under a microscope in order to determine the levels of uric acid accumulation.
Although there are laboratory tests to determine a gout diagnosis, many doctors will determine the condition just based on the symptoms that you are experiencing. Once you have been diagnosed with this condition, it is helpful to start an immediate treatment program in order to relieve the pain that you are experiencing. There are many treatments that can be done to temporarily relieve the gout pain, and also prevent future relapses from occurring.
