Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and soft tissues, resulting from chronically elevated serum uric acid levels.

How is gout diagnosed?

The gold standard is joint fluid analysis identifying monosodium urate crystals under polarized microscopy.

What uric acid level is considered high?

A serum uric acid level above 6.8 mg/dL is above the saturation point. The ACR treatment target is below 6.0 mg/dL.

What is the fastest way to stop a gout flare?

The ACR recommends colchicine, NSAIDs, or corticosteroids as first-line options for acute gout flares.

What foods trigger gout flares?

High-purine foods like organ meats and certain seafood, alcohol especially beer, and fructose-sweetened beverages.

Gout cannot be cured but can be effectively controlled with urate-lowering therapy to stop flares and dissolve crystal deposits.

Gout & Cholesterol - GoutSavvy.com

Do Statins Cause Gout? What Atorvastatin, Crestor, and Nexletol Do to Your Uric Acid

September 9, 2026 by GoutSavvy Editorial Team

Atorvastatin 20 mg tablets on prescription medication packaging

Statins don’t cause gout. Atorvastatin actually lowers uric acid slightly. But one newer cholesterol drug, bempedoic acid, raises uric acid by 0.8 mg/dL and flares gout, and the atorvastatin-colchicine combo can put you in the hospital. Here’s what to do.

Gout and Kidney Stones: The Hidden Connection Your Doctor Might Not Tell You About

July 13, 2026June 30, 2026 by GoutSavvy Editorial Team

Your Gout Might Be Slowly Killing Your Kidneys Let me tell you something most people with gout seldom hear from their doctor. That uric acid floating around in your blood does not just attack your joints. It also quietly chips away at your kidneys, setting the stage for kidney stones you will not see coming … Read more

Why Women’s Gout Pain Gets Dismissed, And What to Do About It

June 16, 2026June 15, 2026 by GoutSavvy Editorial Team

Here’s something I hear a lot from women with gout: “The doctor didn’t take me seriously at first. He thought it was just arthritis. He told me to wait and see.” Sound familiar? Women’s pain has a documented history of being taken less seriously than men’s. Gout is no exception. And the consequences aren’t trivial. … Read more

I’m Having a Baby — What Happens to My Gout Medication?

June 16, 2026June 14, 2026 by GoutSavvy Editorial Team

You’re trying to get pregnant. Or maybe you’re already pregnant. Either way, you’ve got questions that your doctor probably can’t fully answer: Can I stay on my gout medication while trying to conceive? What if I flare during pregnancy, what can I take? And after the baby comes, what’s safe while breastfeeding? These aren’t niche … Read more

The Hidden Link Between Gout and High Cholesterol: What the Research Reveals

July 10, 2026May 23, 2026 by GoutSavvy Editorial Team

Most people with gout know they need to watch their purine intake and limit alcohol. But here’s something many don’t realize: over 75% of people with gout also have abnormally high blood fat levels. This connection between uric acid and cholesterol isn’t coincidence, it’s a metabolic partnership that significantly impacts your health risks. This article … Read more