Featuring Dr. Kam Shojania, MD, FRCPC

Duration: 1 minute

So the diagnosis of gout is made by typical symptoms, such as, the big red hot swollen joint that settles after seven to ten days of the toe or other joints.

But also can be determined by taking a sample of fluid from that joint with a needle and looking at it to see if we see the typical gout crystals under a microscope.

Contrary to popular belief, a blood test does not diagnose gout. So we can measure uric acid in the blood, it can be high or low, but it does not make a diagnosis of gout.

Typically, classic symptoms and drainage of a joint to look at crystals are the way to make the diagnosis. So if you have attacks of joint swelling that you think might be gout, or if you have gout and have more questions, please contact your healthcare provider.

Presenter: Dr. Kam Shojania, Rheumatologist, Vancouver, BC

Local Practitioners: Rheumatologist