Diagnosis of gout is a bit complicated job most of its symptoms are common to some other disease. Therefore, several tests are required to correctly, diagnose gout. Apart from the tests, the diagnosis of gout will also involve other things as observation and study of the symptoms, medical history, etc.

In the beginning before opting for the tests, the rheumatologist will like to study the medical history of the patient and his family. This is because gout can occur due hereditary reasons. If there are previous occurrences of gout in the family then there is comparatively greater chance of presence of gout in the patient. Moreover, a neat observation and study of the symptoms also will give the further idea about it. However, there is no peculiar symptom of gout this too is helpful in the diagnosis of gout.

After this, the doctor will do a test of the serum uric acid level in the body. This test is a blood test and tests the uric acid level not the body. If it is high then there are chances that they patient may have gout. However, this is not a sure test as there were many cases in which, the patients had normal serum uric acid level.

The most useful test for diagnosis of gout is the test of the synovial fluid. The most important thing that is tested in the synovial fluid is the presence of urate crystals. The urate crystals may also be present in a normal person; however, in some gout cases they are present in greater amount.

Apart from observing these crystals also, it is important to check whether any infection or other deposit is present in the joint or not. If they are present, they too can give rise to similar symptoms as gout. Therefore, during diagnosis of gout it is important to rule them out.

Radiological tests like X-rays are not useful during the initial stages as not notable effect can be observed in the joint. However at the later stages when the infection becomes chronic damage and inflammation occurs in the affected joint. This may be detectable to X-rays and therefore X-rays too can be useful in diagnosis of gout. Moreover, X-rays play an important role in very advanced cases where the joints have undergone some damage. X-rays let us know the extent of damage occurred in the affected joint.

Making a right use of all these options it is possible to diagnose gout in the initial stages as well and thus prevent any serious consequences.