Is this gout?

[mussygirl]

I have a painful white lump over my thumb joint – this happened once before on my other hand and it eventually settled on its own.  This time the lump became less painful but has since flared up again, and I can feel the same developing on the other hand.  My GP was quite dismissive of my suggestion that it may be gout and thought it might be a ganglion.  Today I have had bloods taken for uric acid levels but if they are normal should I just leave things as they are?

I am a generally healthy 50 year old female, reasonably active and don't drink particularly much alcohol.  The only other thing to note is that I have had a lot of pain in my hips and knees – not sure if this might be related.

Thanks

[zip2play]

I would ignore it until you have more data.

Watch especially for foot pain. Gout usually winds up there oretty quickly.

Ask for an ANA and an arthritis panel next doctor's visit. THey are a good general first step in analyzing joint pain.

[Keith Taylor (GoutPal Admin)]

With the hips and knees pain, pseudo-gout is a possibility.

The best option, as with any difficult-to-diagnose joint problems is a thorough examination by a rheumatologist.

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