Gout in females

Gout in females

Gout in females has a different time of onset, and a different presentation. The gouty manifestation is more likely to occur on the upper extremity, involve multiple joints, as opposed to  gout in males which usually involves one joint, and more often than not occurs on the lower extremitiy, in many cases the big toe.

Tophi may be present long before the gouty condition has been diagnosed in females , for this reason the condition appears to be much more insidious in females than males.Tophaceous Gout

Obesity is not one of the risk factors for late onset gout in females, it's more likely to occur in females who have been taking diuretics for cardiac conditions and hypertension.

Gout in females

Diuretic abuse may be involved in premenopausal gout,however,in this case the diuretics may have been taken for weight reduction.

The deposition of urate crystals in the distal joints of the fingers is more likely to occur where these areas have become eroded as a result of osteoarthritis, thus providing ideal sites for urate crystals.Uric acid

Because estrogen plays a role in the renal tubular handling and excretion of uric acid, gout is unlikely to be found in premenopausal women with normal levels of estrogen, however, around 15 years after menopause when the estrogen level has dropped significantly allowing the uric acid level to build up, then gout is more likely to occur.

Gout in females

Serum testosterone levels have been found to be slightly elevated in females who have gout.Administration of synthetic estrogen to post menopausal women has not been found to increase excretion of uric acid, whereas, administration of androgens for certain medical conditions has been found to cause an increased incidence of gout in females.

Although the hormone balance plays a vital role, other important factors are involved, such as long years of taking prescription drugs, inferior diet, renal dysfunction, and other diseases which may be present.

Read more: Hormone Levels Affect Female Gout