Yea its good to get some blood work done when the gout is acting up. It was about 1 week after I had quit drinking (and I was a spirit drinker) that my foot just started hurting, and swelling. I couldn't even walk on it. It eventually went away and then I had blood work done and there was no signs of gout. GP told me to come again when it is acting up.
I know I have it as my dad has it and my grandfather had it. I noticed that it only acts up when I eat heavy protein and not enough fresh fruit.