What Causes Sweet Smelling Bowl Movements?

Posted on Wed, 17 Sep 2014

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

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 Answered on

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : my bowl movements have a mild sweet smell, im panicing over it.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide the following data

Detailed Answer:
HI
Can you give more of your medical data:

- are your bowel movements always with this mild sweet smell? or this is happening recently?
- any changes in your diet? new foods? new drinks?
- can you specify the medications you are taking currently?
- apart the smell, have you noticed any other changes in your bowel movements: consistency? color?

It is normal for bowel movements to change depending on foods/drinks/medications you take.

Looking forward to have the requested data in!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (2 hours later)

yes, not eating much of "animal proteins" more nuts "pastaschios" and eating a veg, fruit gluten free diet. as more meds. on 25 m daily for thyroid/hypo/hashimotos. taking one a day , on two of the seven days, i take 2, 25m.

have changed my eating habits, extensively due to stressed over the hypo/hashs
eating much olive oil and the nuts for good fats, 2400mgs a day of fish oil too. bowl movements once were, every other day if that, as i was constipated (hashimotos). my bowl movements are a bit floaty too.
Thank you for answering me so fast, i panic. only on klonopin as needed.

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

yes, not eating much of "animal proteins" more nuts "pastaschios" and eating a veg, fruit gluten free diet. as more meds. on 25 m daily for thyroid/hypo/hashimotos. taking one a day , on two of the seven days, i take 2, 25m.

have changed my eating habits, extensively due to stressed over the hypo/hashs
eating much olive oil and the nuts for good fats, 2400mgs a day of fish oil too. bowl movements once were, every other day if that, as i was constipated (hashimotos). my bowl movements are a bit floaty too.they are all lately sweet, the last few months. some not, recently yes. but not eating animal fats/proteins
Thank you for answering me so fast, i panic. only on klonopin as needed.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Changes in your diet explains your stool smell...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Sorry for the late reply.

Thank you for providing additional information. They are helpful in determining the cause to your actual concerns.

Please rest assured that changes in diet habits (foods, drinks your consume on daily basis) will also affect the consistency, odor and the color of the feces.

As you are consuming more nuts and other vegetables with less animal fats and are taking fish oil supplements, then, all these factors are explaining the "sweet smell" of your feces.

Nothing to worry about. Take good care and follow the diet your doctor advised rigorously and keep monitoring your thyroid hormones levels regularly.

Hope my answer put your mind at ease! Enjoy life!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (8 hours later)

thank you very much Doctor - I have called my internist, and I'm scheduled for blood work at the end of Oct, meeting with my endocringologist early november. again, thank you very, very much.

Cheri

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
wishing you all the best

Detailed Answer:
Hi back Cheri

Happy to now that the answer was helpful.

Wishing you all the best.
I am waiting notice from you.
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar