A doctor in the US told me today that tests have to be done before making the decision to go onto Allopurinol medication.

He is not a great communicator, and I didn't ask enough questions.

For those of you in the medical field and those of you on Allopurinol.

1. How many Uric Acid blood tests are needed? 1? more?

2. Are these Uric Acid tests only needed during a gout attack, or should they be taken on a regular basis when the gout has gone away, to ascertain if the Uric Acid level is indeed high?

3, If I took for example, 300 mgs of Allopurinol even though my uric acid levels were not high would there be negative side-effects or medical consequences?

Thanks to anybody that can help.

I was prescribed Allopurinol after a Gout attack, a blood test showed high Uric Acid and I was prescribed 150 mg. After another attack blood was tested again and Allopurinol raised to 300mg. I have now taken it daily for a number of years with no problem, no side effects and no Gout. However my Uric level is checked approx. every 6 months and remains pretty stable.

I do not recall how many tests were made before starting the Allolpurinol (was 20 years ago) but you wait until attack is over before taking. I had strong family history and have always taken 300mg. Have not had another attack and tests are always normal now.

I was prescribed Allopurinol after a Gout attack, a blood test showed high Uric Acid and I was prescribed 150 mg. After another attack blood was tested again and Allopurinol raised to 300mg. I have now taken it daily for a number of years with no problem, no side effects and no Gout. However my Uric level is checked approx. every 6 months and remains pretty stable.

Kered,

So, you only had the first Uric acid blood test on one gout attack, and you got a prescription?

Then after the second, another Uric acid blood test, and the amount of faily Allpurinol was raised?

Did you ever get a liver test, or kidney test?

Thanks.

I do not recall how many tests were made before starting the Allolpurinol (was 20 years ago) but you wait until attack is over before taking. I had strong family history and have always taken 300mg. Have not had another attack and tests are always normal now.

lopburi3,

Did you ever have your liver checked to see if your liver could handle it?

Allopurinol acts by lowering serum uric acid levels and thus is of no benefit if levels are not elevated.

You will not, in any event, have gout if your serum uric acid is not elevated. It is possible to have elevated uric acid without gout but not vice versa.

A newly diagnosed gout patient should have 2 -3 uric acid measuremnent done at different times to establis a baseline.

This is a simple and comparatively inexpensive test.

^ Thank you, Sheryl.

One gout attack I had gave a normal Uric Acid reading, at the time fo the attack. It's very rare, but possible. Another reading (only the second one I've ever done had a reading of 6mg/dl.

The first normal reading was taken at the same clinic in the US.

The second high reading was taken in Asia.

Because this US doctor ony has to record of the normal reading, he won't prescribe allpurinol. But the problem is, this clinic is a walk in clinic. (Not for poor people) but it's a walk in and appointments are not allowed. This US Dr. advised me to see a doctor regularly and build up a record, and said I "was getting sub-optical care." He was honest, but also unhelpful.

This is the the dilemma of working and livin overseas, and visiting the US for about 2 months out of the year.

When I return to Asia in September, I'll take regular (or as many as needed) Uric Acid tests to get on Allopurinol. I am a chronic gout sufferer.

I do not recall how many tests were made before starting the Allolpurinol (was 20 years ago) but you wait until attack is over before taking. I had strong family history and have always taken 300mg. Have not had another attack and tests are always normal now.

lopburi3,

Did you ever have your liver checked to see if your liver could handle it?

Every 90 days when prescriptions for that, lipids and blood pressure are filled again.

Did your physician ever discover the underlying cause for you hyperuricemia (uric acid build up)?

Allopurin is a drug to be taken daily to prevent an attack. It is not useful in treating a current attack of gout. The drug itself can reduce the production of uric acid--although treating the underlying cause of hyperuricemia is the preferred option.

You should be tested once before taking Allopurin and continue testing while on the drug to verify its ongoing efficacy.