Night Sweats smell like Vinegar

[aminofreak]

Title says it all. When I sweat during the day I don't stink. Only at night. Smells like vinegar.
This has been going on for years.

Diet is super clean last 7 weeks chicken breast, jasmine rice, cream of rice, broccoli, and Greek yogurt. I eat the same thing everyday.

I know it's not the gear because this happens whether I'm on 200mg test or 2g gear total.

This is the only thing I can think that might be a culprit: Creatine

When I take Creatine even small doses of 3g a day, my kidneys hurt. I got blood work done and all looked good except for high ldl and low hdl and slightly elevated creatinine.

Blood sugar is good. I'm not diabetic.

If this happened when I sweat during the day I'd just say hey I guess I fucking stink, but only at night.... ???

Any thoughts?

 

[Sectør]

I read that kidney conditions can sometimes cause this. Which would kind of line up with what you’re saying about kidney pain

But I’m just purely speculating

 

[Sectør]

Google AI

“
If your sweat smells like vinegar, it could be a sign of kidney disease, as impaired kidney function can lead to a buildup of urea in the blood which can be released through sweat, causing a vinegar-like odor; this condition is called uremia and is considered a serious symptom of kidney failure.

Key points about kidney disease and sweat odor:

• Urea buildup: Healthy kidneys filter urea from the blood and eliminate it through urine, but when kidneys aren't functioning properly, urea can accumulate and be released through sweat, causing a distinct smell.
  
  
• Vinegar-like odor: This urea-related sweat odor can often be described as similar to vinegar.
  
  
• Serious symptom: A significant change in body odor, particularly a vinegar-like smell, can be a warning sign of kidney disease and should prompt medical evaluation”

 

[aminofreak]

Google AI

“
If your sweat smells like vinegar, it could be a sign of kidney disease, as impaired kidney function can lead to a buildup of urea in the blood which can be released through sweat, causing a vinegar-like odor; this condition is called uremia and is considered a serious symptom of kidney failure.

Key points about kidney disease and sweat odor:

• Urea buildup: Healthy kidneys filter urea from the blood and eliminate it through urine, but when kidneys aren't functioning properly, urea can accumulate and be released through sweat, causing a distinct smell.
  
  
• Vinegar-like odor: This urea-related sweat odor can often be described as similar to vinegar.
  
  
• Serious symptom: A significant change in body odor, particularly a vinegar-like smell, can be a warning sign of kidney disease and should prompt medical evaluation”

I got bloods done and everything was in range except for mild elevation in creatinine.

 

[Alzadosghost]

Tren makes me sweat smell like that. That’s kind of what Tren smells like too. If your having actual kidney pain you need to stop asking questions here from regular guys and get a professionals opinion. I just read that thst vinegar smell could be a serious medical condition.

 

[Alzadosghost]

It’s not the creatine causing that. Go see a real dr. Don’t fuck around with your health dude. Then again, I’m almost positive creative has given me kidney stones. I only got them when I used creatine. 25 years absent of creatine use Iv not had and kidney stones. Possible correlation but either way let a dr sort it out. There’s no doctors on here to take advice from. That you have to pay for. Don’t skimp on your health. Knowing is half the battle

 

[btails]

Am I missing something as to why anyone is jumping to kidney problems?

OP- eat 200g complex carbs before going to bed. When you wake up to pee drink another liter of water at night.

See if that changes it.

 

[Sectør]

Am I missing something as to why anyone is jumping to kidney problems?

OP- eat 200g complex carbs before going to bed. When you wake up to pee drink another liter of water at night.

See if that changes it.

Might be the direct mentioning of him having kidney pain

But maybe carbs and water will fix it

 

[btails]

Might be the direct mentioning of him having kidney pain

But maybe carbs and water will fix it

It's highly unlikely that one can pinpoint kidney pain.

 

[Stewie]

Have you tried taking any citrulline? It can help facilitate as an ammonia scavenger via the urea cycle.

 

[aminofreak]

It’s not the creatine causing that. Go see a real dr. Don’t fuck around with your health dude. Then again, I’m almost positive creative has given me kidney stones. I only got them when I used creatine. 25 years absent of creatine use Iv not had and kidney stones. Possible correlation but either way let a dr sort it out. There’s no doctors on here to take advice from. That you have to pay for. Don’t skimp on your health. Knowing is half the battle

I hear you. I did go see a Dr about it. I got labs and everything checked out fine.

 

[aminofreak]

Am I missing something as to why anyone is jumping to kidney problems?

OP- eat 200g complex carbs before going to bed. When you wake up to pee drink another liter of water at night.

See if that changes it.

That's interesting... what's the idea behind this?

 

[aminofreak]

Have you tried taking any citrulline? It can help facilitate as an ammonia scavenger via the urea cycle.

Thanks Stewie, I just read some info on that. Worth a shot!
Any recommendations on dosage? 8g of citruline malate per day?

 

[Stewie]

Can you post your labs?

 

[Stewie]

Thanks Stewie, I just read some info on that. Worth a shot!
Any recommendations on dosage? 8g of citruline malate per day?

3-4 grams of plain citrulline should suffice for the intended purposes.

 

[btails]

That's interesting... what's the idea behind this?

Just a feeling I have as I've dealt with similar issues in the past. Scoured the internet figuring out what it was.

Your bodies probably changing fuel sources during the night and that coupled with dehydration would be my best guess for a cause for what you're experiencing.

 

[btails]

If your sweat smells like ammonia or vinegar, it could be due to several factors, including diet, hydration, and metabolism. Here are some possible causes and solutions:

1. High-Protein, Low-Carb Diet

When you consume too much protein and not enough carbohydrates, your body starts breaking down protein for energy, producing ammonia as a byproduct.

The ammonia gets expelled through sweat and urine.

Solution: Increase healthy carbs (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) to balance protein intake.


2. Dehydration

When you're dehydrated, sweat becomes more concentrated, making ammonia or vinegar smells stronger.

Solution: Drink more water throughout the day.


3. Ketosis (Low-Carb or Keto Diet)

If you're following a keto diet, your body burns fat for fuel, producing ketones, which can smell like vinegar or acetone.

Solution: If the smell is strong, try adjusting your fat-to-protein ratio and drinking more water.


4. Poor Liver or Kidney Function

If your liver or kidneys struggle to filter waste, ammonia can build up in your body and be released through sweat.

Solution: If the smell persists despite diet changes, consider a doctor's check-up to rule out any issues.


5. Excessive Exercise & Muscle Breakdown

Intense workouts can cause muscle breakdown, releasing ammonia as a waste product.

Solution: Increase your carb intake before workouts and hydrate properly.


6. Bacterial Growth on Skin

Sweat mixed with bacteria can produce a vinegar-like smell.

Solution: Use an antibacterial soap, wear breathable fabrics, and shower promptly after sweating.


When to See a Doctor

If the smell persists despite changes in diet and hydration.

If it's accompanied by fatigue, nausea, or other unusual symptoms.

 

[aminofreak]

Can you post your labs?

 

[danieltx]

One thing I'll say is you shouldn't be concerned at all with your elevated hematocrit since your platelets are at the very low end of normal - platelets are what cause clotting.

 

[Stewie]

Only thing that stands out, not overly concerning is your osmolality (hydration status). Its slightly out of <range, which most likely you're taking in a little too much fluid. Your BUN, NL:R, albumin and protein looks good. Your >creatinine, could very well be from supplemental creatine, which is very common as it's a metabolite of creatine.

As for remedies... it may be diet related as @btails pointed out or a slightly sluggish urea cycle. You could try citrulline to see if that might help. If it continues to be bothersome, I wouldn't hesitate to keep mentioning something to your treating clinican.