Gout & High Uric Acid: Foods to Avoid, Normal Levels, and When to See a Doctor

Gout is one of the most common causes of joint pain among Filipino adults, especially men. It happens when too much uric acid builds up in the blood and forms sharp crystals in a joint. The good news: with the right treatment and lifestyle changes, most people can keep attacks under control.

What Does a Gout Attack Feel Like?

• Sudden, severe joint pain, often starting at night
• The big toe is the classic site, but ankles, knees, wrists, and fingers can be affected
• The joint becomes red, hot, swollen, and very tender, so even a blanket touching it hurts
• Attacks often follow a heavy meal, drinking sessions, dehydration, or illness

An attack usually improves within days to two weeks, but without treatment, attacks tend to come back more often and can damage joints over time.

What Is a Normal Uric Acid Level?

Reference ranges differ slightly between laboratories, so always check the range printed on your result. As a general guide:

• Men: about 3.4–7.0 mg/dL (roughly 200–420 µmol/L)
• Women: about 2.4–6.0 mg/dL (roughly 140–360 µmol/L)

A high uric acid level alone does not always mean you have gout, and some people have normal levels during an attack. Your doctor will interpret the result together with your symptoms. See our guide to understanding lab results.

Foods to Limit

Diet alone rarely cures gout, but it can reduce how often attacks happen. Foods and drinks most strongly linked to flares include:

• Organ meats: atay (liver), balunbalunan (gizzard), dinuguan, bopis, isaw
• Some seafood: sardines, dilis (anchovies), tuyo, shrimp, crabs, mussels, and other shellfish
• Beer and liquor: beer is especially linked to gout attacks
• Sugary drinks: softdrinks and sweetened juices high in fructose
• Large servings of red meat such as pork and beef, especially in fatty dishes like lechon and kare-kare

What About Monggo and Vegetables?

Many Filipinos avoid monggo, beans, and leafy vegetables because of gout. Research suggests that purines from plants are much less likely to trigger gout than purines from meat, seafood, and alcohol. Ask your doctor before cutting healthy foods completely from your diet.

Foods That May Help

• Water: staying well hydrated helps your kidneys clear uric acid
• Low-fat milk and yogurt
• Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
• Cherries, which some studies link to fewer attacks

What to Do During an Attack

• Rest and elevate the affected joint
• Apply a cold compress wrapped in cloth for 15–20 minutes at a time
• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol
• See a doctor early. Anti-inflammatory medicines work best when started quickly, and your doctor will choose the right one based on your kidneys, stomach, and other conditions.

Do not start, stop, or change uric-acid-lowering medicine on your own during an attack. Follow your doctor's instructions.

When to See a Doctor Urgently

• Fever together with a hot, swollen joint, which can be a joint infection
• Your first-ever attack, so the diagnosis can be confirmed
• Attacks that keep coming back or involve several joints
• Lumps under the skin (tophi) near joints or on the ears
• Kidney stone symptoms such as severe flank pain or blood in the urine. Read more about kidney stones.

Which Doctor Should You See?

An internist can diagnose and treat most cases of gout. For frequent attacks, gout that is hard to control, or joint damage, a rheumatologist specializes in joint and inflammatory diseases. Gout is also linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease, so regular check-ups matter.

Find a Doctor Near You

Find a rheumatologist or find an internist on MyDoktor.ph, filtered by your city.