Make your uric acid result useful.
Convert the units, see where the number sits against commonly used treatment targets, then look at the trend rather than one isolated reading.
One result is a data point. A trend is more useful.
Make sure you know which unit your result uses before comparing numbers.
A lower reading during an acute attack does not necessarily rule gout out.
Home meters are most useful for trends. They do not replace laboratory or clinical assessment.
Read the full uric acid guide +
Uric Acid: Know Your Number
Serum urate is measured in micromoles per litre (micromol/L) in the UK and often in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) elsewhere. GoutSense can convert between the two, but interpretation belongs in clinical context.
Why this matters
NICE recommends a target below 360 micromol/L (6 mg/dL) for people on urate-lowering treatment. A target below 300 micromol/L (5 mg/dL) may be considered for people with tophi or chronic gouty arthritis, or those still having frequent flares despite being below 360.
What the guidance says
A result taken during a flare can be misleadingly low. If gout is strongly suspected but serum urate is below 360 during the flare, NICE advises repeating it at least two weeks after the flare has settled.
Reviewed for GoutSense launch content: September 2026. General information only; not medical advice.