Blood tests can measure how much uric acid is accumulating in the bloodstream, and are used to:

Uric acid blood tests can be performed at a laboratory or at home.

Laboratory Blood Testing

Laboratory blood uric acid tests give more reliable results than home test kits. They should be used for initially determining whether or not you have gout, and then at least annually for professional monitoring of your condition.

In addition to measuring uric acid levels, the doctor will likely ask for other blood tests, including a metabolic panel to assess your level of kidney function and a complete blood count to see if infection is playing a part.

Laboratory blood tests can also rule out other causes of joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Home Testing

Uric acid home test kits are a good way to see the immediate effect of any gout-killing lifestyle changes you implement. I recommend doing a home uric acid test weekly.

Uric acid home test kits come with a lancet to draw blood, strips to catch the blood droplets, and a diagnostic machine that measures uric acid and displays the results.

Preparation for Testing

You should not eat or drink anything for four hours before giving the blood sample, as food and drink can affect results.

Some medications can affect the results of a uric acid blood test, so ask your doctor or laboratory technician if you should take your customary medications before testing.

. . .

Bert,

This email is a bit overdue, but I wanted to touch base and let you know how helpful, effective and encouraging your emails are. I appreciate that I am still on the list despite having difficulty watching your initial program.

The information and pointers that you give for me as a gout sufferer have been a blessing. It has have helped me understand the disease, given me tools to prevent it and have given me hope to overcome it. Regardless of the long term outcome in relation to the gout, your information helps someone live an overall healthier lifestyle,and enables people to think beyond a single-minded paradigm in an approach to beating gout.

This has been a journey for me, and a testing of my perseverance. As the Apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 5, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character; and character, hope.”

While I sense that my battle with this disease is not done, I feel like it is definitely going in the right direction, and you have been a big part of guiding me and enabling to stay in that positive direction. And yes, your encouraging words have provided hope.

Please feel free to use anything in this email as a testimonial for your web site/advertising etc. It is the least I can do.

All the best,

Shane

. . .

Uric Acid Blood Test Results

Normal blood uric acid levels range from 3.5 to 7.2 mg/dL depending on age and gender. In 2012, the American College of Rheumatology stated that those with gout should aim for a blood uric acid lower than 6 mg/dL.

Uric acid blood test results may not necessarily correlate with how you feel. You may have high uric acid levels, but suffer no gout attacks. Conversely, you may have low uric acid levels while having one attack after another.

Low uric acid blood levels are uncommon, and deficiencies are generally not a concern.

   ☆ Bottom Line:  In addition to periodic lab testing by your doctor, I strongly recommend you use a uric acid home test kit to monitor your gout-killing efforts on a weekly basis!