Foamy Urine and High Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (Protein in urine)

Posted by rinasac @rinasac, Jan 11 11:24am

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney Conditions Support Group.

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Feb 10 9:30pm

@rinasac I also want to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. Ginger is correct; we members shouldn’t diagnose, or prescribe and we obviously don’t order biopsies, tests or scans for each other. A side note is that although many of us have lots of experience with labs, we probably have no business interpreting other members’ lab results. When members tell about their tests, scans, biopsies, labs, medications, diagnoses etc. it is in an effort to be helpful. But we do want you to know that you aren’t alone in whatever you are facing.

Regarding “foamy urine”, Ginger explained it really well.
In my own experience, I was diagnosed with albuminurea (sp?), which is high protein in the urine. I think a contributing factor was dietary. There is another discussion on Mayo Clinic Connect, “Protein in my Urine” where this is the topic that you might find interesting. In your introduction you mentioned protein bars (20-22gm protein) and Chobani Greek yogurt (20gm protein). IMHO that seems like quite a bit. My husband has 1 protein bar a day (emphasis on 1). I often have 1 Chobani Greek yogurt for breakfast (again emphasis on 1). That is all I have for breakfast. Lunch &/or dinner protein is much less. It consists of poultry, fish, sometimes pork, eggs and dairy. Red meat is particularly hard on kidneys so I avoid that.

From what I understand of labs most of yours look normal enough. Who ordered them? Could you discuss your concern about the “foamy urine” with the provider who ordered your labs? I have a nephrologist who orders and monitors my kidney function labs. My Dr. is always very patient about explaining lab results to me and making recommendations for needed changes.

ump2929 | @ump2929 | Feb 12 12:01pm

Was diagnosed with Amyloidosis - Kidney on 12-26-2025, had Bone Marrow biopsy that show possible myeloma also. Just was in the hospital for seven days because of the retention of fluid. I missed my 2nd chemo treatment because of this and now it's tomorrow. very frustrating because the hospital I was (local hospital) in didn't have any Amyloid "Docs" and they were pushing off everything as cardiac issues when they weren't.