Gout - A type of arthritis caused by excessive uric acid in the body. This can stay in the joints (usually affecting the big toe), but can develop in any joint. It can cause severe pain, redness and swelling. Blood tests from a laboratory provide both outcomes of the actual tests along with tabular 'Reference" ranges, sometimes referred to as 'Normal" values. The latter is of an misnomer because values considered 'Normal" provide a normal collected from large scale tests. Normal just isn't necessarily 'Optimal." A second, very important factor in interpreting results emanates from understanding these ranges may vary somewhat from laboratory to laboratory. Therefore, in considering abnormal blood tests and hormones, or some other blood test, the two actual result and the actual range utilised by the laboratory have to be taken into account. The reference ranges found in this short article derive from Disease Management and Treatment except where noted.