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metallic smelling sweat?

Posts: 267 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
When I sweat during a workout or work I smell a metallic scent, does anyone know what causes that?

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  • Posts: 435 Member
    Could it be an ammonia smell? If so, sounds like you need to eat more. Seriously.
  • Posts: 100 Member
    are you drinking enough water?
  • Posts: 272 Member
    are you a cyborg? :)
  • Posts: 580 Member
    When I take vitamins, I notice that smell. I wonder if it has something to do with the iron in the supplements?
  • Posts: 3,386 Member
    are you a cyborg? :)

    This is an excellent question.
  • Posts: 3,932 Member
    are you a cyborb? :)

    ahahaha! if she were would she be your dream girl? or are you not THAT much of a tech geek?

    Seriously, I believe it means you are going into ketosis--your body is attacking it's own fat stores--not a terrible thing depending on how much fat you have stored.
  • Posts: 870 Member
    Most antiperspirants have aluminum in them as well so it could be a reaction to the metal in the deodorant, they do make them without but you have to look for them (they're usually all natural, organic etc types) :D
  • Posts: 3,316 Member
    This is so weird! I've been hearing Mettalica during my workouts!?!?
  • Posts: 272 Member
    ahahaha! if she were would she be your dream girl? or are you not THAT much of a tech geek?


    hahaha no comment.... Well besides this comment declaring no comment. :)
  • Posts: 2,684 Member
    That is weird but after my work out I smell a metallic almost bleach like smell and I can't ever figure it out. No one else smells it.
  • Posts: 187 Member
    Could it be an ammonia smell? If so, sounds like you need to eat more. Seriously.

    That's an interesting comment. Sometimes my sweat tends to have a really strong ammonia-type smell. However, that used to be true back when I was eating my fool head off, and is still sometimes true today, when I'm not. I used to think it was correlated to the kind of activity that produced the sweat -- it seemed to me that it happened more frequently with "working" sweat (summer lawn-mowing, for instance) than with "workout" sweat (the sort I soak my T-shirt with at the Y). As time goes on, though, I'm increasingly doubtful that the correlation is real.

    I'm curious, though -- why would an ammonia smell mean there's a need to eat more?
  • Posts: 2,684 Member
    I just found this but not sure what they people are saying exactly.

    http://blog.fitnesstown.ca/2008/10/30/ammonia-smell-after-exercising/
  • Posts: 104 Member
    I just asked my doctor the same thing. I small ammonia, especially in the shower after working out on an empty stomach, but sometimes without serious exercise.

    I did some internet research, but haven't found a definitive explanation.

    My doctor is not sure, but he is doing some research. I'll post again if he comes up with any good explanation.
  • Posts: 3,932 Member
    I just found this but not sure what they people are saying exactly.

    http://blog.fitnesstown.ca/2008/10/30/ammonia-smell-after-exercising/

    Yes--this is what I said--your body goes into ketosis. It has used up all the glucose in your blood and attacks your fat stores. I've heard other people say they get a mettalic taste in their mouth (others describe it as tasting like blood b/c of the copper) in addition to the ammonia and mettalic smells.
  • Posts: 2,684 Member
    show previous quotes

    Yes--this is what I said--your body goes into ketosis. It has used up all the glucose in your blood and attacks your fat stores. I've heard other people say they get a mettalic taste in their mouth (others describe it as tasting like blood b/c of the copper) in addition to the ammonia and mettalic smells.

    so you want it to attack your fat stores right?
  • Posts: 3,932 Member
    show previous quotes

    so you want it to attack your fat stores right?

    It's not a terrible thing provided it doesn't happen too early in your workout and doesn't leave you feeling weak/shaky. Also, the article says make sure to replenish by drinking/eating something after the workout.
  • Posts: 431 Member
    show previous quotes


    hahaha no comment.... Well besides this comment declaring no comment. :)

    I'd be okay with a cyborg lady. They can fix cars right?
  • Posts: 267 Member
    i eat fine. it's not that. It's always happened.
  • Posts: 2,684 Member
    show previous quotes

    It's not a terrible thing provided it doesn't happen too early in your workout and doesn't leave you feeling weak/shaky. Also, the article says make sure to replenish by drinking/eating something after the workout.

    Yeah I don't smell it til I'm done working out. Like when I get home and get in the shower.
  • Posts: 2,382 Member
    Ammonia sweat is from the breaking down of protein and muscle fibers to fuel the body for quick burning energy... It's not a good thing. Means you should eat more carbs.
  • Posts: 267 Member
    i smell metal, or rather, i don't smell it... my husband does when I get home from running or something.
  • Posts: 3,932 Member
    Ammonia sweat is from the breaking down of protein and muscle fibers to fuel the body for quick burning energy... It's not a good thing. Means you should eat more carbs.

    THe OP mentioned a "mettallic" smell which is associated with ketosis. Here is a very simple explanation of it. It doesn't sound like it's the same thing as what you are describing related to an "ammonia" smell.

    http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/faq/f/whatisketosis.htm
  • Posts: 2,382 Member
    EDIT: Some how I got onto the wrong thread
  • Posts: 37 Member
    Go to your doctor and asked to have your thyroid tested. Its not normally listed as a sign of Graves Disease but I know of 2 people who have the same problem of smelling like metal after a workout and after many MANY tests both were diagnosed with Graves (hyperthyroidism)
  • Posts: 267 Member
    very interesting stuff about the ketosis. I've been wondering about this as I've done research recently. Diabetes runs in my family, I thought that because i'm 131 lbs and 5'5" that I wasn't at risk. I eat carbs but between weird spots on towels after workouts, metallic scents, and other symptoms... suppose a visit to the doctor is in order.
  • Posts: 267 Member
    Go to your doctor and asked to have your thyroid tested. Its not normally listed as a sign of Graves Disease but I know of 2 people who have the same problem of smelling like metal after a workout and after many MANY tests both were diagnosed with Graves (hyperthyroidism)
  • Posts: 267 Member
    show previous quotes

    well crap... that does sound worth checking it out.
  • Posts: 4,894 Member
    I smell this too on myself when I work out but I eat a LOT of carbs. You can check my diary. I'm SO confused.
  • Posts: 1 Member
    I have the same problem but I have hypothyroidism. Some people with graves ( like my sister) have their thyroid destroyed radioactively. Once this happens they have to take replacement hormones. I have to take the same medication with around the same dose as she does and we both have the same metallic smell. When I asked my doctor he said it could very well be because of the medication and the absence of the natural hormone (and the secretion of it). I don't want to say that you or anyone else may have the disease, but I will say, if you have any other symptoms of an over or under functioning thyroid you may want to get checked. This disease can become life threatening on both ends of the spectrum. Good luck!
  • Posts: 387 Member
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uremic_fetor
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