HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Urine Smelling Sweat?

Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2015

Question: hi there ,I have two probs.the first is that people say that I smell of urine but as far as I know I don't pee myself.People have been saying this since I was a child.I am now a 44year old male and people still say it..I shower and wash regular and wear clean clothes everyday.I dont understand.The only thing I can think of is my crutch sweat smells bit like ammonia/cat wee.I feel that I suffer with candida all my life but a lot of doctors think candida is nonsense.Its ruining my life!
The other prob is that sometimes I smell of feaces or like a rubbish bin.or just foul smelling.I sweat profusely from armpits, back, feet,groin area have IBS as well as candida and a damaged spine which I thought I should tell you.
I am at my wits end and don't know what to do,have tried being extra clean but it doesn't help for long.please help.thanks paul

Answered by Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Trimethyaminuria

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir!

Welcome to HealthcareMagic!

I understand your concern.You symptoms and history sound like a rare genetic disorder that is Trimethylaminuria.The trimethylamine gets released in the person's sweat, urine, reproductive fluids, and breath, giving off a strong fishy odor. Other than the strong fishy odor, individuals with this condition typically appear healthy.

I feel sorry to say that there is no permanent cure of this disease but taking a low trimethyamine diet definitely helps a lot.Avoid food such as;

Eggs
Liver
Kidney
Peas
Milk
Beans
Peanuts
Soy products
Brassicas (brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower)
Lecithin and lecithin-containing fish oil supplements

You can always consult a nutritionist for the same.Hope this helps.Feel free to ask more.
Dr.Moumita Chakraborty

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (1 hour later)

Thank-you for your diagnosis.Is there tests for trimethyaminuria in the uk which I can ask my doctor for? I don't know how I'm going to be able to change diet as I have candida as well which is a very restrictive diet and now this as well.With both of these conditions theres not a lot I can eat.Does the diet get rid of the symtoms or does it just lessen them? thanks for your help.Obviously am sad that theres no cure as ive endured a lot of cruel jokes and remarks from people over the years.People seem to think your dirty and don't wash regular ect.
thanks again XXXXXXX

What do you think causes the excessive sweating? Would candida cause me to be smelly as well as trimethylaminuria? thanks XXXXXXX

Hi does trimethylaminuria make you smell like you've pee'd yourself? thanks XXXX

Answered by Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
trimethylamine (TMA) content,TMA challenge test and genetic testing.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Paul!

Thank you so much for writing back.

There is no certain cause of excessive sweating.Yes, trimethyaminuria makes you smell like a pee. No, candida does not make you smell like that from your childhood till now.

There are lot of tests related to trimethylamine such as test for trimethylamine (TMA) content, TMA challenge test and genetic testing.

Avoiding diet containing choline which is a component of TMA helps in decreasing less TMA in body leading to decrease in smell. You can consult a nutritionist for a specific diet for trimethylaminuria and candida together.

I feel sorry that you are going through all this and that there is no permanent cure for this. But you can live a lot better life than this if you follow these.

Hope this helps. If you have no further queries, please rate this answer and close this discussion.
Dr.Moumita Chakraborty

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (9 hours later)

Thank-you for getting back to me.Just to be sure that I havnt confused you-when I asked does TMA make you smell like pee , I meant does it make you smell of urine.Iwanted to be totally sure about this.thanks for all your help XXXXXXX

Hi there, please can you tell me why some people e.g friends/family smell my odour but others don't e.g girlfriends and some family members. I don't understand this and this has been happening most of my life.thank-you XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it does smell like urine

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir

Welcome again!

Yes to be clear this does smell like some rotten thing,urine or garbage.Intensity of smell varies with TMA content in body.

May be its just your smell friends and family are surrounded by but few people have their own fragrance to ameliorate that smell.

Thank you!
Dr.Moumita XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (18 hours later)

Hi there,I don't understand your last sentence,please could you make it a bit clearer thank-you for your help XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,

I am sorry if I was not so clear.It could be that your smell surrounds your family and friends in such a way that you think they also smell the same but actually its just your smell.Secondly some people have their own fragrance which does not let your smell overpower,then you don't get it.

Hope I made myself clear.
Dr.Moumita Chakraborty

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj