Suggest Treatment For Bad Body Odour In A Child

Posted on Sun, 29 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 30 May 2016 Answered on

Fri, 1 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My son just recently developed a body odor that has nothing to do with hygiene. Some say he smells like fecal matter. We have searched the net for similar problems like his. the term trimethylaminuria or tmau keeps coming up. What is this and how do we treat it. He recently started taking a high blood pressure medicine which I believe triggered the onset of this. Where do we go for help? although I cannot smell the offensive odor, I do detect an odor.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hormone tests

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about his unusual symptom of body odor.

There can be various reasons for this. It is important explore the possibilities through blood tests.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)

None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad