Good afternoon doctors. how can one know if foamy or bubbly urine is from too much protein in the urine or if it is just mucous?

You would need to have the urine tested in a lab. You need a urinalysis. There is no way to know by looking at the urine . So, see your doctor and get a urinalysis. Good luck!

Good afternoon- It is neither. Foamy urine is usually from bubbles produced when urine hits the toilet with some speed. bubbles passed in urine can occur in some infections and a connection of the bladder with the intestines in some conditions.

I agree with Dr. F's advice. I will say that foamy or frothy urine is a sign of abnormal amounts of protein in the urine until proven otherwise. I advise that your MD order a 24 hour urine collection for an accurate measurement of how much protein you pass in your urine per day. Also having an immunofixation study of the urine will check for any abnormal proteins such as myeloma,amyloidosis.