Facebook Pixel
EmpowHER Guest
Q: 

I have been having very strong urine odor. Smells somewhat like mercury. Is this sign of diabetes

By Anonymous December 21, 2009 - 2:50pm
 
Rate This

Add a Comment1 Comments

Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Hi Anon -
According to the Mayo Clinic, urine odor is related to the volume and concentration of a variety of chemicals excreted by the kidneys. Normally, diluted urine has little to no odor. If your urine becomes highly concentrated, urine odor may have a strong ammonia quality. Many foods and medications — such as asparagus or certain vitamins — also can affect the odor of urine.

While diabetes is listed as a possible cause for a strong urine odor, the smell is usually described as "fruity." The Mayo Clinic also lists the following as potential causes of strong odors in urine.
* Acute liver failure
* Bladder infection
* Cystitis
* Dehydration
* Diabetic ketoacidosis
* Eating certain foods, such as asparagus
* Kidney infection
* Maple sugar urine disease
* Metabolic disorder
* Rectovaginal fistula
* Type 2 diabetes
* Urinary tract infection
* Vitamin B-6 supplements

You can learn more about the causes of urine odor here:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/urine-odor/MY00378/DSECTION=causes

Is this a new situation, or has the odor been there for some time? You may want to try increasing your fluid intake to see if the odor goes away. If the odor remains, the best way to determine whether there is a medical reason for the odor is to see your healthcare provider and get a urinalysis. In most cases, a few simple tests of the urine will be able to determine the cause of a strong odor.

Will you let us know what you decide to do, and your progress?

Thanks for contacting us,
Pat

December 22, 2009 - 5:34pm
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.

Tags:

Diabetes

Get Email Updates

Diabetes Guide

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!