One serum urate result is useful. A trend is much more useful.
If you are monitoring gout over time, record the date, urate result, units, whether you were having a flare, current urate-lowering medication and dose, and any recent medication changes.
Common treatment targets
NICE and the American College of Rheumatology generally use a serum urate target below 6 mg/dL (360 micromol/L) for people receiving urate-lowering therapy. NICE says a lower target below 5 mg/dL (300 micromol/L) may be considered in more severe gout, such as tophaceous or chronic gouty arthritis or continued frequent flares.
Units vary by country. The United States commonly reports mg/dL; the UK, Australia and Kenya may use micromol/L or mmol/L depending on the laboratory.
Printable log
| Date | Urate result | Units | Flare? | Medication / dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
Why timing matters
Serum urate can fall during an acute flare. If gout is strongly suspected but the urate result is below 6 mg/dL during the attack, NICE recommends repeating the measurement after the flare has settled.
Home meters
Home uric-acid meters can be useful for trend tracking when used correctly, but they do not diagnose gout by themselves. Our home uric-acid testing guide covers meter limitations, comparison with laboratory testing, and what to bring to your clinician. If you are tracking because of medication changes, see treat-to-target urate-lowering therapy.
This guide is educational and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
Sources
Evidence checked September 2026.