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What Causes Foamy Urine?
Question: I have foamy urine. I've been on statins and baby asprin for 5 years. Everything was good. Ive had foamy urine for about a year, and my last blood test was about 4 months ago. Everything was ok. No one told me i had high Ck. but i read online that foamy urine means failing kidneys due to CK protein excretion or statin causing problems? What should i do? I feel fine. No weight gain. Clear urine. Just foamy sometimes, usualky in morning and sometimes in afternoon. Help. Worried :-(
Brief Answer:
A differential diagnosis is necessary.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I would like to explain that to define the right cause of foamy urine, a differential diagnosis is necessary.
Generally speaking a foamy urine is usually an expression of excessive serum proteins in the urine. In such case, measurement of proteinuria by complete urinalysis would be helpful to confirm the disorder.
But a foamy urine may be caused also by the presence of bilirubin in the urine.
Pneumaturia (presence of air bubbles in the urine) due to a fistula (such as vesico-intestinal fistula, etc), may be another cause, as well.
Retrograde ejaculation may be expressed with a foamy urine, too.
Even certain drugs may be responsible for such a picture.
As you are using statins, which may be associated with rhabdomyolysis and release of excessive amounts of proteins in the urine; investigation with some lab tests, like blood CPK, AST & ALT, complete urine test for proteinuria, etc may reveal this adverse drug effect.
In such case, drug discontinuation is recommended.
If this clinical symptomatology (foamy urine) becomes very frequent, especially when associated with other complains, then you need to discuss with your internist to guide you through the differential diagnosis.
The above mentioned etiological factors should be investigated/excluded one by one (by checking the above mentioned tests).
In the appearance of foamy urine is occasionally rare (as in your case), especially when urine test doesn't confirm proteinuria, then you shouldn't worry too much.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
A differential diagnosis is necessary.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I would like to explain that to define the right cause of foamy urine, a differential diagnosis is necessary.
Generally speaking a foamy urine is usually an expression of excessive serum proteins in the urine. In such case, measurement of proteinuria by complete urinalysis would be helpful to confirm the disorder.
But a foamy urine may be caused also by the presence of bilirubin in the urine.
Pneumaturia (presence of air bubbles in the urine) due to a fistula (such as vesico-intestinal fistula, etc), may be another cause, as well.
Retrograde ejaculation may be expressed with a foamy urine, too.
Even certain drugs may be responsible for such a picture.
As you are using statins, which may be associated with rhabdomyolysis and release of excessive amounts of proteins in the urine; investigation with some lab tests, like blood CPK, AST & ALT, complete urine test for proteinuria, etc may reveal this adverse drug effect.
In such case, drug discontinuation is recommended.
If this clinical symptomatology (foamy urine) becomes very frequent, especially when associated with other complains, then you need to discuss with your internist to guide you through the differential diagnosis.
The above mentioned etiological factors should be investigated/excluded one by one (by checking the above mentioned tests).
In the appearance of foamy urine is occasionally rare (as in your case), especially when urine test doesn't confirm proteinuria, then you shouldn't worry too much.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Oh that explains it! I have Gilbert's Disease so my billirubin is always elevated. Everyone in my family has elevated billirubin. I think ive had foamy urine for quite a while. Could gilbert's disease produce foamy urine?
Brief Answer:
Gilbert's syndrome may be the cause of your concern.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again!
Yes! You are right! Seems that Gilbert's syndrome (by increasing bilirubin excretion in urine) may be responsible for your characteristic urine.
But first other possible causes, I mentioned above, should be excluded.
Wish you a good health!
Best regards,
Dr.Iliri
Gilbert's syndrome may be the cause of your concern.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again!
Yes! You are right! Seems that Gilbert's syndrome (by increasing bilirubin excretion in urine) may be responsible for your characteristic urine.
But first other possible causes, I mentioned above, should be excluded.
Wish you a good health!
Best regards,
Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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