Gout is caused by uric acid crystal formation around body joints. For the crystals to form there must be excess levels of uric acid in the blood stream. Therefore, a uric acid test identifies the levels of the acid in the blood.

This test can be ordered by your doctor, GP, or even health-care profession. Symptoms of excessive serum uric acid are inflammation, tenderness and pain in toes, knees or other joints. This may occur naturally, through genetic predisposition, because of diet or medication, or perhaps after chemotherapy/radiation treatment.

Treatment for too much uric acid in the blood-stream typically involves drug and dietary therapies, dependent the suspected underlying cause of the disorder.