What condition is characterized by excessive uric acid in the blood?

The condition characterized by excessive uric acid in the blood is gout. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when there is too much uric acid in the bloodstream, leading to the formation of urate crystals in the joints, which can cause intense pain and swelling. This can result from overproduction of uric acid, underexcretion by the kidneys, or a combination of both. Recognizing gout is important in medical practice as it requires specific treatment approaches to manage pain and prevent future flare-ups.

Other options, such as goiter, refer to an enlarged thyroid gland often associated with iodine deficiency, glaucoma is an eye condition involving increased intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve, and gestation pertains to the period of development of a fetus during pregnancy. Each of these conditions has very different causes and implications, making gout distinctly identifiable when considering the context of uric acid levels in the blood.