Foamy, frothy or bubbly urine.
Protein in the urine is not usually obvious, but can be detected by a simple dip- stick test, or sometimes by more sensitive lab tests. The presence of protein in the urine can act as a warning signal that not all is well with the kidneys. Usually there are no symptoms.
At-home test kits that check for protein in urine test are available without a prescription. The kits usually include dipsticks and instructions for how to collect and test your urine sample. At-home urine tests are easy to do and provide accurate results as long as you carefully follow all instructions.
Kidney dysfunction can also cause high bacteria and protein levels in the urine, which will contribute to a foul ammonia smell.
When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration and accumulation of substances in urine lead to a darker color which may be brown, red or purple. The color change is due to abnormal protein or sugar, high levels of red and white blood cells, and high numbers of tube-shaped particles called cellular casts.
The presence of protein, blood, or semen can also cause urine to look cloudy. Be sure to reach out to your doctor if you experience cloudy urine along with other symptoms. If you have blood in your urine, experience any sharp pains, or your urine is an unusual color, contact your doctor right away.
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.
Stage 1 CKD means you have a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 90 or greater, but there is protein in your urine (i.e., your pee). The presence of protein alone means you are in Stage 1 CKD.
Doctors refer to the standard color of your urine as “urochrome.” Urine naturally carries a yellow pigment. When you're staying hydrated, your urine will be a light yellow, close-to-clear color. If you're getting dehydrated, you'll notice that your urine is becoming a deep amber or even light brown.
Foamy urine is a sign of protein in the urine, which is not normal. “Kidneys filter the protein, but should keep it in the body,” explains Dr. Ghossein. If kidneys are releasing protein into the urine, they are not working properly.
If your bladder is full, your urine may hit the toilet at a faster speed than normal, causing the water to stir and create bubbles. Dehydration. If you haven't had much water to drink and are dehydrated, your urine will be more concentrated. When your urine is concentrated, it may foam or bubble.
When your body loses large amounts of protein in the urine, it can be because of dehydration, strenuous exercise, fever, or exposure to cold temperatures. Extra protein in the urine can also be a symptom of serious diseases. These include: Kidney diseases.
If your urine is concentrated, drinking more water and other fluids will relieve dehydration and stop the foaming.
Blood Tests. Because your kidneys remove waste, toxins, and extra fluid from the blood, a doctor will also use a blood test to check your kidney function. The blood tests will show how well your kidneys are doing their job and how quickly the waste is being removed.
When your kidneys are not working as well as they should, protein can leak through your kidney's filters and into your urine (i.e., your pee). Protein in your urine is called proteinuria or albuminuria. It is a sign that your kidneys are damaged.
Healthy people will see bubbles in the toilet when they urinate with “some applied force,” Su said, but “the frothy bubbles should recede in about 10 to 20 minutes. Urine, when collected in a sample tube, should be in clear liquid form.” “Abnormal frothy bubbles indicate the presence of excessive protein in the urine.
Bubbles that flush away are normal. If you have excess protein in the urine, the bubbles sometimes will persist after flushing. If many bubbles remain after flushing, this may be abnormal.
Seeing foam in the toilet bowl on a regular basis may be a warning sign of kidney disease. Your kidneys might be leaking protein into the urine, which causes foamy-looking urine. It's important to let your doctor know how often you're seeing bubbly urine.
Amyloidosis is a condition in which too much of a particular protein (amyloid) collects in the organs, so that they are not able to work normally. Amyloidosis can affect the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system, stomach or intestines.
High-protein diet increases the urea concentration in urine, which makes us explore whether the continuous high urea stimulation could damage the urothelium and then increase the risk of carcinogenesis.
Is clear urine always a good thing? In most cases, clear urine is a sign that you're well hydrated. And that's a positive thing because good hydration helps your body function at its best. But, in some cases, clear pee may mean that you're drinking too much water and you're too hydrated.