Ammonia sweat

lovetolose17
lovetolose17 Posts: 31 Member
edited December 19 in Health and Weight Loss
When I work out hard (intervals, hard cardio, etc.), I sweat a ton. It smells like ammonia. Dr. Google says my liver/kidneys may be off and/or I’m eating to much protein.

Anyone else get the same odor with hard workouts? I’m trying to decide if I need to call my doc or if I can wait for a well check. Thanks for any input.

I’m 39, in pretty good shape, and I eat about 45% carbs, 30% fat and 25% protein. I’ve had a colorful past but have not drank alcohol in five years. I do take a few meds for anxiety and sneak an occasional cigarette. I don’t smell like ammonia with easy workouts or after I shower.

Thanks for any input. Should I post over in fitness and exercise, too?

Replies

  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Are you drinking enough water?
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    You've eliminated protein as a factor.

    How long have you been noticing this and what is your weight?

    Do other people notice? Ask someone else, in your class or staff at the center if you haven't gotten any comments.

    It certainly could be a symptom of potential liver/kidney/prediabetes.

    If you smell it, but others don't then it could be something going on actually in your body rather than from your sweat.

    Probably not worth a special trip, If you've already got a scheduled visit within the next 90 days. IF you're the only one smelling it, probably worth a sooner trip, or if it starts happening with light/no exertion.
  • crazykatlady820
    crazykatlady820 Posts: 301 Member
    My sweat has always smelled this way. Doctor couldn’t find anything wrong, so I’ve just learned to accept it. It’s also not as noticeable to others around me as it is to me.
  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    Runners world article:

    https://www.runnersworld.com/ask-the-sports-doc/burning-protein-as-fuel
  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    Another good article on this:

    https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm
  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    Another article on this:

    https://www.livestrong.com/article/448648-smelling-ammonia-after-exercise/

    I think you should consider lowering your protein intake a bit, and increase your carb intake. And of course, keep hydrated. I base my opinion from the info in these articles. Good luck. Hopefully that tweak can help this issue. It wouldnt hurt for you to see your dr also.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    1houndgal wrote: »
    Another article on this:

    https://www.livestrong.com/article/448648-smelling-ammonia-after-exercise/

    I think you should consider lowering your protein intake a bit, and increase your carb intake. And of course, keep hydrated. I base my opinion from the info in these articles. Good luck. Hopefully that tweak can help this issue. It wouldnt hurt for you to see your dr also.

    Except 25% is already plenty low.
  • crazykatlady820
    crazykatlady820 Posts: 301 Member
    Not trying to highjack this post, but those articles are a learned something new moment for me. I know I get enough water, but I will pay more attention to my protein and carb macros and see if it helps.
  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    stanmann571 wrote: »
    1houndgal wrote: »
    Another article on this:

    https://www.livestrong.com/article/448648-smelling-ammonia-after-exercise/

    I think you should consider lowering your protein intake a bit, and increase your carb intake. And of course, keep hydrated. I base my opinion from the info in these articles. Good luck. Hopefully that tweak can help this issue. It wouldnt hurt for you to see your dr also.

    Except 25% is already plenty low.

    Not really low. A macro split that might help is 50% carbs, 20% protein, 30% fat. I believe this is the default macro split for mfp.

    I have been doing this split and I am losing weight and have plenty of energy. My personal experience.
  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    Final link share for now:

    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/running-doc-sweat-smells-ammonia-article-1.2804757
  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    crazykatlady820 wrote: »
    Not trying to highjack this post, but those articles are a learned something new moment for me. I know I get enough water, but I will pay more attention to my protein and carb macros and see if it helps.

    I learned something from the articles also. I love science.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,748 Member
    I only seem to get it when I run on the TM. That may just be because it is more noticeable indoors when there's no wind to blow the stink away. I eat a fairly high carb diet so doubt that that is actually the issue.
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    Instead of your daily total for macros, what you consumed leading up to your workout is more important. Most likely it is simply being glycogen depleted. You said it doesn't happen for your lighter workouts so it would make sense. Your muscles store glycogen (a web of glucose) that you get from carbohydrates, that is what your body uses first, and it takes longer to get the fat energy... the body pretty much runs on carbs, fats, and lastly protein which it likes to spare for all the organs and tissue. Maybe you just need some carbs before or during your workout.
  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    californiagirl2012 wrote: »
    Instead of your daily total for macros, what you consumed leading up to your workout is more important. Most likely it is simply being glycogen depleted. You said it doesn't happen for your lighter workouts so it would make sense. Your muscles store glycogen (a web of glucose) that you get from carbohydrates, that is what your body uses first, and it takes longer to get the fat energy... the body pretty much runs on carbs, fats, and lastly protein which it likes to spare for all the organs and tissue. Maybe you just need some carbs before or during your workout.

    Couldn't hurt. Probably would be helpful.
  • TarahByte
    TarahByte Posts: 125 Member
    I get this too when I run first thing in the morning. I've read to eat something small beforehand but I never do it. It's only noticeable once I get in the shower afterward. I just had blood work done last week and nothing abnormal so I don't worry about it.
  • CricketClover
    CricketClover Posts: 388 Member
    TarahByte wrote: »
    I get this too when I run first thing in the morning. I've read to eat something small beforehand but I never do it. It's only noticeable once I get in the shower afterward. I just had blood work done last week and nothing abnormal so I don't worry about it.

    Me too! I am happy I am not the only one. I don't notice the ammonia aroma while working out but do once I get in my car to leave or get in the shower, and it doesn't always happen.
  • peggy_polenta
    peggy_polenta Posts: 325 Member
    are you sure the smell is from your sweat and not from your clothes after they have become wet from sweating? do you use bleach on your gym clothes or any detergents that have bleach or amonia in them? try wetting down some clean gym clothes to see if they have the same smell.
  • lovetolose17
    lovetolose17 Posts: 31 Member
    Tiny_Dancer_in_Pink wrote: »
    Are you drinking enough water?

    I think so - I drink a ton of sparkling water (flavored, no sugar or fake sugar) and at least 50 oz of still water. My urine is light. I’ll try to increase even more!

  • lovetolose17
    lovetolose17 Posts: 31 Member
    stanmann571 wrote: »
    You've eliminated protein as a factor.

    How long have you been noticing this and what is your weight?

    Do other people notice? Ask someone else, in your class or staff at the center if you haven't gotten any comments.

    It certainly could be a symptom of potential liver/kidney/prediabetes.

    If you smell it, but others don't then it could be something going on actually in your body rather than from your sweat.

    Probably not worth a special trip, If you've already got a scheduled visit within the next 90 days. IF you're the only one smelling it, probably worth a sooner trip, or if it starts happening with light/no exertion.

    I’ve been noticing it for awhile - maybe six months or so. My husband doesn’t smell it, but it is definitely there. My kids say I smell like potato chips when I’m sweaty. :)

    I’m 5’7 and just under 140 lbs. I’ve never had kidney issues.

    Thanks for your input. I’m going to a ask my mom when she visits since I work out at home.

  • lovetolose17
    lovetolose17 Posts: 31 Member
    edited March 2018
    californiagirl2012 wrote: »
    Instead of your daily total for macros, what you consumed leading up to your workout is more important. Most likely it is simply being glycogen depleted. You said it doesn't happen for your lighter workouts so it would make sense. Your muscles store glycogen (a web of glucose) that you get from carbohydrates, that is what your body uses first, and it takes longer to get the fat energy... the body pretty much runs on carbs, fats, and lastly protein which it likes to spare for all the organs and tissue. Maybe you just need some carbs before or after...




    YES! I bet that’s it since I basically roll out of bed, eat half a protein bar then work out. I’ll try switching to half a banana to see how that works!
  • lovetolose17
    lovetolose17 Posts: 31 Member
    karen8787 wrote: »
    are you sure the smell is from your sweat and not from your clothes after they have become wet from sweating? do you use bleach on your gym clothes or any detergents that have bleach or amonia in them? try wetting down some clean gym clothes to see if they have the same smell.

    Hmmm, possibly, but I use pretty crunchy soap. I’ll try a different one though to see. Thanks for the input!
  • azzeazsaleh5429
    azzeazsaleh5429 Posts: 77 Member
    1houndgal wrote: »
    Runners world article:

    https://www.runnersworld.com/ask-the-sports-doc/burning-protein-as-fuel

    thanks for the articles they answer a lot of questions I had about this problem. Did the recommended solutions workout for anybody?
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