Bubbly or foamy urine is not always due to protein in the urine. It can occur because of a strong urine stream, concentrated urine/dehydration, or simply the way urine mixes with the water in the toilet. The fact that it often decreases after drinking water makes these benign causes possible.
However, since you have had
diabetes from childhood and hypertension for many years,
kidney screening should be continued even when serum
creatinine is normal. Early diabetic kidney disease can present with albuminuria before kidney function becomes abnormal.
If your previous urine ACR was normal, significant albuminuria is less likely, but because your last testing was 6 months ago, it would be reasonable to repeat it if the symptom is recurring.
Next Steps
Please repeat first-morning urine ACR + urine routine/microscopy + serum
creatinine/eGFR. First-morning urine ACR is the preferred sample for assessing albuminuria.
Continue monitoring your
HbA1c and BP regularly and continue telmisartan as prescribed. If the ACR and eGFR remain normal, the bubbly urine is more likely to be a benign phenomenon.
Health Tips
Maintain adequate hydration, but there is no need to excessively increase water intake just to eliminate the bubbles. Consult your physician/nephrologist if the foam becomes persistent or is associated with facial/leg swelling, blood in urine, reduced urine output, or worsening BP.