Awful smell!

[frenchie]

I've had the most appalling smell coming from my body for the past few weeks and tried changing all my toiletries in case it was some sort of allergic reaction, but nothing changed. I finally decided to ask Dr Google who suggested it might be diabetes, liver or kidney disease. I had a fasting blood test at the pharmacy yesterday which had a reading of 146 (pharmacist said it should be below 99 ) so she thinks it's probably diabetes. I cannot get a doctors appointment for weeks so have started carb counting to see if that helps. I've read loads of info so aiming for around 50 carbs to try and level out my blood sugars, but really have not a clue what I'm doing. I've noticed both yesterday and today that although the stink is more of an aroma now, a couple of hours after eating its full on pong again for a while. Am I doing it right or likely to keel over before I get to see a doctor?

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear that you are having such an odd and unpleasant problem. I haven't heard of people smelling bad because they have diabetes and it certainly wasn't a symptom I experienced and my levels were much higher than yours at diagnosis.

By the way, I am guessing you are not in the UK, judging by your results. For anyone else reading this, 146 (dl/litre) is the equivalent of a BG reading of 8.1mmols/litre, which is higher than the guideline range of 4-7, but not massively high, so I would be very surprised if this is causing a smell. Generally the concern with diabetes is when your breath starts to smell fruity like pear drop sweets as that is an indication that you are suffering Diabetic KetoAcidosis, but that is quite a pleasant smell and your levels would need to be persistently much, much higher to put you at risk of that.

Could it be that you have an infection in your nose which is making you think you smell bad. Have you asked someone else close to you (maybe a child/spouse/partner etc) to verify that there is a bad smell?

 

[frenchie]

Quite right, I live in Portugal . I'm single so have no one to ask about the odour which is a bleach/ cabbage smell. It's dreadful and making me feel sick. I did wonder about "pear drop" breath but definately haven't got that. Dr Google (the font of all knowledge ‍♀️) says its due to glucose not being processed by the body or words to that effect. I'm just hopeful it's not kidney or liver disease but I've not really got any of those symptoms either. I was speaking to a friend last night who had gestational diabetes and she said she recognised the smell, ho hum

 

[Martin.A]

Could it be that you have an infection in your nose which is making you think you smell bad.

Good point. I experienced this when I had a sinus infection recently. Gone now, thank goodness, following a course of antibiotics. The only other time I've experienced an unpleasant smell was when my urine was very dark in the run-up to my T2 diagnosis.

 

[helli]

What about covid? Weird smells and tastes were common symptoms of one of the strains of covid.

 

[Leadinglights]

I had a bad viral nasal infection years ago (pre diabetes) which made everything taste and smell revolting, I became very conscious of my own body smell. It lasted long after the infection went.

 

[Inka]

@frenchie I think it’s ketoacidosis that can cause a funny body odour (as well as pear drops breath) not just having diabetes in general. 8.1 isn’t high. If you’re concerned about diabetes, you should ask for an HbA1C blood test (from your arm). Diabetes and pre-diabetes can be diagnosed - or ruled out - from that.

Lots of things can cause body odour or the perception of a strange smell.

If you’re smelling this smell in your home, you might also want to check any gas appliances you have. Gas can smell like cabbage - a sulphury smell.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about the peculiar symptoms you have been experiencing. Have you been able to discuss it with your Dr.

It’s certainly not a common symptom based on members here, so it might be worth checking with a Dr who would be able to check for other things.

 

[frenchie]

@frenchie I think it’s ketoacidosis that can cause a funny body odour (as well as pear drops breath) not just having diabetes in general. 8.1 isn’t high. If you’re concerned about diabetes, you should ask for an HbA1C blood test (from your arm). Diabetes and pre-diabetes can be diagnosed - or ruled out - from that.

Lots of things can cause body odour or the perception of a strange smell.

If you’re smelling this smell in your home, you might also want to check any gas appliances you have. Gas can smell like cabbage - a sulphury smell.

Thank you but definately not gas. Rural Portugal has gas bottles and mine is outside, and I smell wherever I go!!

 

[frenchie]

What about covid? Weird smells and tastes were common symptoms of one of the strains of covid.

I have no symptoms of anything other than the smell ‍♀️

 

[frenchie]

Sorry to hear about the peculiar symptoms you have been experiencing. Have you been able to discuss it with your Dr.

It’s certainly not a common symptom based on members here, so it might be worth checking with a Dr who would be able to check for other things.

I managed to get a walk in consult, doctors has arranged for dozens of blood tests but thinks it may be thyroid related. My blood sugars dropped as well and the smell is less pungent so I think low carbing has definately helped.

 

[helli]

I have no symptoms of anything other than the smell ‍♀️

I believe that was the case during the covid pandemic. Some people had very little (or no) symptoms.
If you have any tests available, it wouldn't harm to check.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I managed to get a walk in consult, doctors has arranged for dozens of blood tests but thinks it may be thyroid related. My blood sugars dropped as well and the smell is less pungent so I think low carbing has definately helped.

Hope the checks provide some useful pointers