Patients who suspect that they are suffering from gout should go to the hospital to receive clinical operations such as physical examination and consultation by a physician, as well as laboratory tests such as blood uric acid test, urine uric acid test, routine blood test, routine urinalysis test, renal function test, and imaging tests such as X-ray and ultrasound.
Blood uric acid test and urine uric acid test can clarify whether patients have elevated uric acid levels and the possible causes of elevated uric acid, routine urinalysis test can check whether there are urate crystals in the patient’s urine as well as acidic pH, routine blood test can clarify whether patients have inflammation, and renal function test can check whether patients have gouty nephropathy.
Imaging tests such as X-rays can clarify the presence of inflammation in the affected joints, while ultrasound can screen patients for the presence of urate stones or other types of ureteral stones, and joint ultrasound can also reveal joint lesions. Clinical procedures such as physical examination and questioning allow the physician to gain an understanding of the patient’s condition and assist in the subsequent diagnosis and treatment of the patient.
It is recommended that patients with suspected gout go to the rheumatology department of a regular hospital.