Why Does My Urine Smell Like Ammonia?

[Beansent]

My urine has recently been smelling like ammonia, or this funky burn smell. Should I get it checked out? Anyone ever had this happen to them before? My diet has been strict and have been getting my macros in check as well.

[BigPooper]

Drinking enough water?

Drinking ammonium?

[Enote]

it's most likely due to your multivitamin, make sure you drink enough water.

[bodybuilder45]

My urine has recently been smelling like ammonia, or this funky burn smell. Should I get it checked out? Anyone ever had this happen to them before? My diet has been strict and have been getting my macros in check as well.

sounds like this is due to your protein intake. Most ammonia in the body forms when protein is broken down by bacteria in the intestines. The liver normally converts ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in urine. ammonia levels will build up in the blood stream if too much protein is consumed. does your sweat have an ammonia swell as well?

[lastxlight]

Water

[Beansent]

sounds like this is due to your protein intake. Most ammonia in the body forms when protein is broken down by bacteria in the intestines. The liver normally converts ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in urine. ammonia levels will build up in the blood stream if too much protein is consumed. does your sweat have an ammonia swell as well?

Yes it does. I will drink more water. Should I do anything else? I honestly drink about 3 liters of water a day, which I know isn't enough.

[advanc3d]

Urea decomposes to Ammonia

but i for one never had this happen even for that period of time where i didnt drink much water.

[in10city]

My urine has recently been smelling like ammonia, or this funky burn smell. Should I get it checked out? Anyone ever had this happen to them before? My diet has been strict and have been getting my macros in check as well.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm

[Beansent]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm

I've read that. I've only found the water intake as the problem. My macro is 40/40/20 so I don't find carb intake as a problem.

[curly2004]

Drink more water.

[phabphour20]

This may sound funny, but did you eat asparagus the meal before or the night before?

Some people (including myself) have a reaction to asparagus that will give a distinct odor to their urine. Just a thought if this was a one-time thing, and not a consistent odor.

-PP

[Lager1]

Oooo, you might have a liver problem. Your liver converts the Ammonia into Urea. Or you could have a kidney problem, in which case levels of urea are building up in your bloodstream. What kinds of supplements are you taking?

[in10city]

I've read that. I've only found the water intake as the problem. My macro is 40/40/20 so I don't find carb intake as a problem.

Given the macros, water is probably the case then.
If you are sweating a lot, 3 liters probably isn't cutting it.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/urine-odor/AN00958

Urine odor -> Potential medical causes
Strong ammonia smell -> Not enough fluids, dehydration
Foul smelling -> Bacterial infection of the kidneys or bladder
Sweet smelling -> Uncontrolled diabetes
Musty smelling -> Liver disease; phenylketonuria, a rare, inherited metabolic condition
Maple syrup smell -> Maple sugar urine disease, a rare, inherited metabolic disorder

[phabphour20]

Does anyone else get this asparagus smell thing? Or is it just me?

Edit: Just did a quick google... I guess a lot of people have it. Never mind.

[Beansent]

This may sound funny, but did you eat asparagus the meal before or the night before?

Some people (including myself) have a reaction to asparagus that will give a distinct odor to their urine. Just a thought if this was a one-time thing, and not a consistent odor.

-PP

OMG, I think this might be it? I 've been eating about 4 sticks of asparagus per meal and I have noticed that coincidentally, the odor happened around the same time I started eating asparagus. Could this be it?

[dodgyone]

You are certainly eating more than enough asparagus to cause that certain smell when you urinate. Just to be 100% sure why not cut out the asparagus for a couple of days and continue drinking the same amount of water. I'm sure you will find this is the cause. I must admit the smell shocked me at first!

[Kumquatv1]

Just remember to not eat asparagus before golden showers heh

[Struct09]

Whatever you do, don't take a piss in the Amazon River: http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=797

[Beansent]

You are certainly eating more than enough asparagus to cause that certain smell when you urinate. Just to be 100% sure why not cut out the asparagus for a couple of days and continue drinking the same amount of water. I'm sure you will find this is the cause. I must admit the smell shocked me at first!

I don't want to sacrifice the benefits of the asparagus completely, so I'll cut down to maybe two sticks per meal. Does that sound adequate?

[Beansent]

Whatever you do, don't take a piss in the Amazon River: http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=797

damn, that 3rd pic made me cringe.

[Vadim Beliaev]

Up your carbs, decrease protein. Try something like 30/50/20. Your body is using too much of your dietary protein for energy, deaminates the amino acids to convert them into glucose, the amino group is excreted.

[TheCaptain]

Should I do anything else? I honestly drink about 3 liters of water a day, which I know isn't enough.

You can always buy Chlorafresh and drink some eat day. Cranberry juice also helps to resolve the smell issue.

But, its natural. So if it concerns you then just wear extra deoderant or change your diet.

[ironmatt]

Whatever you do, don't take a piss in the Amazon River: http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=797

holy sh*t