The core check on your uric acid and gout
Uric acid measured with the main systems that influence it: your kidneys, metabolism, inflammation and the markers that help tell gout apart from other joint conditions. The essential version of our gout investigation.
No referral. Best as a morning, fasted appointment.
How would you like to get tested?
Book a time
Reserve a slot at your nearest branch online, then walk straight in. Best if you want a guaranteed time.
Book nowWalk in
No appointment needed. Come through any branch, Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:00.
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Not sure which tests you need? Message us on WhatsApp and we will help you decide.
WhatsApp usWhat does the Essential panel measure?
Uric acid read alongside the main systems that influence it, grouped so you can see the picture. All from one morning, fasted blood draw.
The gout marker
Uric Acid. The central gout marker: the substance that forms the crystals behind a gout attack.
Inflammation
CRP, ESR. Two markers of inflammation, useful around flares and for your general inflammatory load.
Joint and autoimmune markers
Rheumatoid Factor, ANA, Anti-CCP. These help your doctor tell gout apart from other causes of joint pain, such as rheumatoid or autoimmune arthritis.
Blood sugar and insulin
Fasting Glucose, HbA1c, Fasting Insulin. Gout often travels with insulin resistance; these show whether your metabolism is part of the picture.
Heart and lipids
Lipogram. Your cholesterol pattern, since gout and metabolic risk tend to go together.
Kidney
U&E and Creatinine. Your kidneys clear uric acid, so how well they are working affects your level.
Liver and blood
Liver Function (LFT), Full Blood Count (FBC). Liver load and a full blood count to round out the picture.
Nutrients
Magnesium, Vitamin D. Two nutrients that support metabolism and general health.
Thyroid
TSH, Free T4. A thyroid check, since thyroid function influences metabolism and how the body handles uric acid.
Which gout panel is right for you?
| Panel | What you get | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EssentialYou are viewing | 17-marker core work-up | R3,884 | |
| Functional (comprehensive) | 21 markers, full investigation | R5,729 | View → |
Three steps, no GP needed
Book a morning slot
Reserve a morning time at your branch, or walk in. No doctor's referral. Come fasted.
Quick blood draw
A nurse takes a small sample, just a few minutes. An overnight fast keeps markers like glucose and lipids accurate.
Results in 2 to 5 days
A colour-coded report by marker, with a free certificate you can share with your doctor.
Who is this panel for?
Most useful if you have had gout-type joint flares, or raised uric acid, and want to understand what is driving it.
Recurrent joint flares
Sudden, painful flares in the big toe, ankle or knee that come and go.
A family history
Gout or raised uric acid runs in your family and you want to check your own level.
Metabolic syndrome
Weight around the middle, raised blood pressure or blood sugar, which often travel with gout.
Diet and lifestyle review
A rich diet or regular alcohol, and you want to see where your uric acid sits.
Tracking over time
You want a baseline before or during a management plan with your doctor.
Telling joint problems apart
Joint pain that needs sorting from other causes; the autoimmune markers help your doctor.
What people say
Friendly and competent staff. Both at reception and the nurse. A much simpler process than going through doctors. Thank you ladies.
The staff at reception as well as the nurses are friendly and professional. I've also always received results timeously. I would give 10 stars if I could.
Highly highly highly recommend. The experience was painless and the practice was inviting and well kept. The report was extremely detailed and informative and I would have this as top of my list for preventive care.
Amazing experience, highly professional staff. Very reasonable prices. Highly recommend.
I cannot recommend Juliette and her team enough, friendly and kind from the get go. Bloods were drawn with minimal discomfort and the labs came back quickly.
Excellent experience at Epicentre. The staff were professional, kind, and took time to explain everything clearly. The facility was clean, booking was easy, and I did not feel rushed.
What this panel does not do
This is a screen that measures uric acid and the systems around it. It is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a diagnosis of gout.
- A blood uric acid level can be normal during an acute flare, and a raised level does not always mean gout.
- The definitive test for gout looks for urate crystals in fluid drawn from the joint, which a doctor performs; this panel does not do that.
- It does not replace assessment by a doctor for joint pain or swelling.
- Results are meant to inform a discussion with a registered practitioner who can read them alongside your history.
Quick answers
Three walk-in labs
Durban
Mon to Fri, 08:30 to 16:00
Johannesburg
Mon to Fri, 08:30 to 16:00
Round out the picture
Medically reviewed by Dr Samantha Naidoo, MB ChB, FCP (SA), Medical Director at Epicentre Walk-In Labs. Reviewed 2 June 2026. Epicentre Aids Risk Management (Pty) Ltd provides diagnostic laboratory testing and does not provide diagnoses, treatment or prescriptions to the public; results are intended to inform discussions with a registered healthcare practitioner.
Get a clear read on your uric acid
No doctor's referral, results in 2 to 5 working days. Book a morning, fasted slot, or message us if you are not sure where to start.