• Gout can cause painful inflammation in a joint, caused by a build-up of urate crystals.
• The big toe is most often affected, but gout can affect any joint.
• To diagnose gout, a sample of fluid from your affected joint can be checked for urate crystals.
• Your doctor can prescribe medicines to treat the pain and inflammation.
• There are also treatments to reduce your risk of future gout attacks.

These key facts are from healthdirect.gov.au (accessed 28 Jan 2025). Visit the healthdirect website for more information about gout.

If your doctor suspects you have gout, they may request one or more tests.

If you are diagnosed with gout, some of these tests will be used to monitor and manage your condition.

Find information about specific tests:

• Uric acid
• Synovial fluid analysis