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Foamy Urine and High Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (Protein in urine)
Hi,
Background:
35 years old, Male
Ate protein bars (each bar having ~20-22gm of protein) and Chobani Greek yogurt (20gm) from April - October 2025 (not everyday but through out this period)
Had a gallbladder removal surgery in December 2025.
Have been observing urine with bubbles since last ~4 months
Current Situation:
Urine with bubbles/foam is the only thing I'm seeing currently from an external point of view. Every visit to urinal is with bubbles. No other issues.
Abnormal:
Got urine test done and everything is normal except the Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (UACR) which is off the roof. Most recent test on December 31, 2025, and the value is 531.8 mg/mmol which is way way more than the range. Normal Range is < 3.0.
There is microscopic blood in the urine too. 3-10 /HPF while the normal range is 0-2.
Normal
Blood Pressure = 117/77
HbA1c = 5.5
Sodium = 141 mmol/L (Normal range: 135-145)
Potassium = 4.6 mmol/L (normal range: 3.5 - 5.2)
Creatinine = 63 umol/L (normal range: 67-117)
Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) = >120 (Reference interval: =>60 mL/min/1.73m2)
Any idea on what could be happening and if this is an issue or something temporary? What are the other tests that I should get done? What should I tell doctor more to diagnose the issue?
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Hi , you could ask your Dr for a CT scan and ultrasound of your kidneys. ( If your insurance covers them). You could have a urinary tract infection due to the tiny amount of blood in your urine , are you drinking enough water every day? You could also have kidney stones possibly, or an infection in your kidneys. A CT scan and ultrasound should tell the Dr more of what's going on . Hopefully you get answers.
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1 Reaction@rinasac Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
We are not medical professionals here. We cannot diagnose or prescribe medications. We can and do support fellow members as they journey through health concerns. We are able to relate our experiences and what worked for us, or didn't work for us. Remember, we are each unique individuals, and may be working through one or more health conditions. Our medical team is one of our best sources for understanding us!
Regarding foamy urine, it may be a cause of excessive protein in your urine, or it could be the result of the force of your urine as it is voided from your bladder. With blood in the urine, has this been since the gall bladder surgery, or before? Was something "nicked"? Have you been tested for an infection, do you feel flank pain? Check for the color of your urine also, in relation to the amount of fluids you take in during the day. Ideally, with adequate fluid intake and voiding, urine will be a straw-color, and clear. That is quite a high number for EGFR! What is the albumin number?
When do you see your doctor next?
Ginger
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2 Reactions@gingerw Thanks for the reply. I'm seeing bubbles/foam every time I go to urine and my UACR is too high as well. I want it to be due to force but I'm somehow suspecting it is not. As far as symptoms except for the bubbles/foam I haven't seen anything yet. Color of urine is clear too. Not sure what's happening.
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1 Reaction@maryellen26 Meeting a nephrologist on Jan 26 so let's see what he has to say but I'm really not able to understand why is it happening.
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2 ReactionsGood afternoon, I had 16k in my urine (protein).
So I was instructed by my general practitioner to see a kidney doctor who perform the same tests and they came back basically the same. She instructed me to have a kidney biopsy and they detected AMYLOIDOSIS AL.
Since then I have had a bone marrow biopsy and spoke with an oncologists.
So maybe you should speak with your GP about seeing a kidney doctor as soon as you can. It can't hurt.
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2 Reactions@rinasac there is a filter in the kidney that is not filtering the protein correctly and I have been told this is caused by the bone marrow creating to many antibodies.
But all cases can be different!! Are you retaining fluid (edema) in your legs are arms ??? You will find comfort after having a few more tests and speaking with the kidney doctor
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1 Reaction@ump2929 Yes, meeting with a nephrologist on Jan 26.
@ump2929 Fortunately, as of now foam in the urine is the only thing I'm observing.