Greetings!
The Gout Education Society is committed to raising public awareness of gout and arming people—like you—with resources to help you better understand gout and treatment options.
While Thanksgiving is an important time of year for many people who suffer from gout in terms of eating (and being aware of the foods and beverages that may trigger flares), November is also American Diabetes Month. Gout rarely exists in isolation; in fact, many people with gout also suffer from other diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and others.
Insulin resistance may also play a role in the development of gout, and those with hyperuricemia—with increased levels of uric acid, above 6.8 mg/dL—can worsen insulin resistance. While gout sufferers are already at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, those who already have type 2 diabetes are more likely to have hyperuricemia and gout.
In order to manage gout with diabetes, it's important to check your blood sugar and uric acid levels regularly (made easier with the help of our handy "Go For Six" Score Card). With the right treatment plan formulated by your doctor or rheumatologist, and lifestyle adjustments, it is possible to live a life with fewer, or even no, gout flares.
