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What Causes Sweet Body Odor While On Metformin?

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Posted on Fri, 7 Oct 2016
Question: About 3 months ago my body odor changed to an obnoxious sweet smell,worse at night. I monitor my blood sugar and it is consistently under 110. I take metformin 500mg daily. I will be 70 in november.
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Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
body odor

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

I am sorry to hear that you are bothered by a change in your body odor. Since you have diabetes the most common cause is a change in your blood sugars. But you say that your blood sugars are normal so this is less likely. When a persons blood sugars get high and out of control the body switches from using sugar for energy to fat and this breakdown of fat causes ketoacidosis. This ketoacidosis gives off a sweet smell. If you have been trying to lose weight perhaps this is happening.

The other reason for body odor change is a change in the normal bacteria flora of the skin. Antibiotics will change the flora as well as changes in body soaps, clothing detergents and fabric softeners. Perhaps just stopping or changing your detergent/fabric softener will help.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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What Causes Sweet Body Odor While On Metformin?

Brief Answer: body odor Detailed Answer: Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns I am sorry to hear that you are bothered by a change in your body odor. Since you have diabetes the most common cause is a change in your blood sugars. But you say that your blood sugars are normal so this is less likely. When a persons blood sugars get high and out of control the body switches from using sugar for energy to fat and this breakdown of fat causes ketoacidosis. This ketoacidosis gives off a sweet smell. If you have been trying to lose weight perhaps this is happening. The other reason for body odor change is a change in the normal bacteria flora of the skin. Antibiotics will change the flora as well as changes in body soaps, clothing detergents and fabric softeners. Perhaps just stopping or changing your detergent/fabric softener will help. I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions