The truth about foamy urine

[Katabibazon]

I've had foamy urine for about 2 years now, and I've been pretty terrified. I'm talking proper foam, groups of bubbly streaks that don't dissipate, though the urine is a normal light yellow color. I've been taking vitamin supplements for a little over that time, and got worried that my kidneys may have been damaged as a result.
I told my doctor, and he didn't seem worried, and asked if I had blood in the urine as well or other symptoms, which I didn't.

After a recent blood test focused on kidney function, everything came back normal.

After doing a bit of research, it turns out only about a third of foamy urine cases are indicative of kidney issues.

The rest are largely unexplained, but I did read elsewhere that dehydration can cause it as well, by concentrating the very moderate amount of protein healthy kidneys naturally let into the urine; I did notice that when I drink more water (which I don't do enough, I only drink a bit when I'm thirsty), the foam vanishes.

And although kidney disease can be asymptomatic until critical, normally by the time you have foamy urine they say other obvious symptoms begin to manifest as well, such as high blood pressure, swelling, etc. Especially if the urine is darker as well.

So if you notice foamy urine without other symptoms, it's very unlikely that kidney issues are the cause

[rc906]

Great post.

Can confirm this is the truth. Had a pretty big kidney related freakout lately, frequent urination with some foam. Figured I was goner. Got a full urinalysis and blood work, the whole nine yards and it was completely fine.

The Doctor basically explained to me that foamy urine isn't really a huge indicator for kidney problems as it can be caused by a million other, benign things.

[Hypo84]

I have foamy urine for over 3 years now. It is constant pretty much. I think if this was a serious kidney issue, I would be dead by now.

[sleepless65]

Thank you for information I have been noticing this for a while, I try not to look, flush and go!

[Katabibazon]

Thank you for information I have been noticing this for a while, I try not to look, flush and go!

Yeah for the longest time I was terrified of looking at the toilet, and decided to go full denial mode for my mental well being. What a relief now.

As an aside, not drinking enough water can also increase the risk of CKD, so keep hydrated people

[NoraB]

Can someone tell me why, whenever I read the title of this thread (and it's been several times now) Tina Turner starts singing Steamy Windows in my head? (I'm not even joking!)

Make it make sense!

[lofwyr]

Year and a half of foamy urine. So far, nothing untoward detected. It isn't protein, I honestly quit worrying about it, but I do bring it up to each new doctor I see (I have a pretty extensive specialist team for my actual known medical issues). None of them have had an explanation yet.

[Zenon98]

How can we dont know what causes foamy urine besides bla bla bla things like dehydration or full bladder. I have consistent foamy urine 3 years, have done utrasound once, 4 times blood and urine work and everything came back normal. If the foam ( like a beer ) is proteins the urinanalysis will show something right?

[Hypo84]

You wouldn't be well if you had protein leakage in urine for 3 years, it's just not possible. And yes, urinanalysis would show it.

I think it's just one of those things on Google that is retarded and leads to unnecessary worrying like twitching.

[Pamplemousse]

I've had mine for 15 years. I just refer to it as "old man's piss".