I would appreciate any input on this matter from anyone here, especially anyone with a medical background. My urine often has a plastic-like odour to it, which is not offensive, but is strong and very distinctive. I know this sounds strange, but there’s no other way to describe it really. I am not on a low carb diet, though I do eat high protein, but this has only started to occur within the past few weeks. Could it be dehydration? Could it be any supplements I’m taking? If so, which ones are known to have this effect? I take too many to list, but maybe someone could name any supplements that commonly have this effect. Thanks
Then just list what you have changed in the last few weeks.
Do you drink alot of coffee?
I am not doing anything differently , regarding supplements or diet than i was before this thing started. I drink coffee maybe 2-3 times a weeks but I’ve done that for a few years now and this has never occurred till recently. Is it perhaps something I’m excreting that I’m not absorbing anymore? I just thought maybe someone would recognize this as being distinctive of some physical issue in particular.
Is there a strange colour or undissolved compounds associated with it? I wouldn’t be too worried but if the above two symptoms are present along with the odor, you may have an infection of some kind…either way, if it’s worrying you, go to the doc.
i bought some cheap-assed glutamine from walmart one time (i can’t even remember the brand) and it made my piss smell TERRIBLE. usually it’s not a noticed thing, but damn… but yeah, it could definitely be caused by something in your diet, or suppliments. did you adversely change your diet or supplimentation about the time when the symptoms started?
I too have experienced this odor every time I went on a ketone diet. Maybe it’s the expelling of ketones? They are an alcohol…
I definately think it’s an aspect of the diet…
F
Alpha lipoic acid is noted for causing the urine to smell terrible. Are you by chance using it?
How is your diet, do you eat little carbs? Check if your in ketosis (use ketosticks). One of the indications of ketosis is the foul smell of urine, just like you describe. Another test is to take 1g of ALA before the meal, that will put one in ketosis and make your urine smelly.
I used to think that my urine had acquired a peculiar odor. I later found out that the cleaning staff at work had switched brands for their toilet-cleaner. My point is that it may be something other than the urine causing the smell.
Thank you for your responses. I’ll address a few of them. I am not on a low carb diet ie: I do not “watch” my carbs other than trying to eat mostly complex ones. I am taking alpha lipoic acid so that could be it. I’m assuming I wouldn’t be in ketosis since i don’t count carbs, but if i’m still under a certain amount that might be it - I will check. A question - because I take ALA, could I be be putting myself into ketosis - does it have the ability to do this even if you don’t restrict carbs? I take it mainly as an antioxident.
Have you been eating a lot of asparagus?
Every time I take a large dose of ALA my urine smells just like that.