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The key to treating gout is to lower the uric acid level in the blood until it is consistently less than 6 milli- grams (mg)/deciliter (dL). Chang- ing your diet can help, but even the strictest low-purine diet will only reduce uric acid levels by 1 mg/dL. If your level is 12 mg/dL, youll never get it low enough with diet alone, says Cleveland Clinic rheu- matologist Elisabeth Ray, MD.