Exams and Tests

Joint aspiration

• This is the most important test. It is the ultimate method of being certain of a diagnosis of gouty arthritis, as opposed to other causes such as an infection in the joint.
  
  
• A needle is inserted into the joint to withdraw a sample of fluid for testing.
  
  
• The fluid is examined to see if there are gout crystals or 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").

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.

Radiographs

• X-rays are primarily used to assess underlying joint damage, especially in patients who have had multiple episodes of gouty arthritis.

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