What does it mean when urine looks foamy? Should I be concerned if it doesn't go away after a few days?
Answer From Patricio C. Gargollo, M.D.
Passing foamy urine now and then is normal, for the speed of urination and other factors can influence this.
But you should see your doctor if you have persistently foamy urine that becomes more noticeable over time. This can be a sign of protein in your urine (proteinuria), which requires further evaluation. Increased amounts of protein in urine could mean you have a serious kidney problem.
If your urine seems unusually foamy most of the time, your doctor may recommend a urine test to check for elevated levels of protein. If the test is positive, you may need further tests to determine the cause of the problem.
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Jan. 14, 2023
- What you should know about albuminuria (proteinuria). National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/proteinuriawyska. Accessed Dec. 2, 2020.
- Partin AW, et al., eds. Evaluation of the urologic patient: Testing and imaging. In: Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 2, 2020.
- AskMayoExpert. Proteinuria. Mayo Clinic; 2019.
- What the color of your urine means. National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/what-color-your-urine-means. Accessed Dec. 2, 2020.
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