Description

Gout is caused by deposits of uric acid in the joints. It can affect numerous joints with the great toe being the most common. Uric acid is a breakdown product of red blood cells and some people are slow to clear this from the system. It is helpful to have evaluation of kidney function, uric acid levels and check of white blood count. Abnormalities of the kidney and bone marrow can predispose one to gout.

This panel includes the following test:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Sedimentation Rate

Uric Acid

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

A complete blood count (CBC) when testing for gout is primarily used to check for signs of inflammation in the body, which can be elevated in a gout flare, by looking at the white blood cell count, as a high white blood cell count can indicate an inflammatory response in the body, potentially related to a gout attack; however, the most definitive test for gout is a uric acid blood test, which specifically measures the level of uric acid in the blood, the key marker for gout diagnosis.

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) test when used to diagnose gout is primarily to measure uric acid levels in the blood, which is the key indicator for gout diagnosis; the CMP also provides additional information about overall kidney and liver function, which can be affected by high uric acid levels and may help identify potential contributing factors to gout development.

A sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) test is used in gout diagnosis to assess the level of inflammation in the body, as an elevated sed rate indicates an inflammatory process is occurring, which is commonly seen during an acute gout attack where uric acid crystals deposit in joints, causing inflammation and pain; therefore, a high sed rate can support a diagnosis of gout, although it is not definitive on its own and should be interpreted alongside other tests like serum uric acid levels.

Uric acid is a waste product that builds up in the body and causes gout when it's too high. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints.