Why Your Poop Smells Like Ammonia: Causes & How to Fix

Key takeaways:

• The smell of our poop can change with time.
• A poop that smells like ammonia is usually not normal.
• See your doctor if you have poop that smells like ammonia.

Naturally, we are used to the unpleasant odor of our poop. As we change our diets or experience various illnesses, this smell may change too. This is usually not a cause for concern.

There are times when certain smells should get our attention. One such example is when our poop smells like ammonia. Ammonia has a strong smell, like urine or sweat. It is often quite pungent.

Is it normal for your poop to smell like ammonia?

If your poop is smelling like ammonia, there may be a problem with the breakdown and elimination of ammonia. Many factors influence the smell of our poop. The foods we eat and drink, current or recent illnesses, chemical breakdown products in our poop, and even medications can have an effect.

Ammonia is a chemical that the body produces in response to protein breakdown. The intestines produce ammonia when breaking down the protein we eat. It is a normal waste product. The ammonia is transported to the liver where it is converted into urea. Urea is removed by the kidneys and excreted in our urine.

Causes of poop that smells like ammonia

Ammonia is a normal byproduct produced by our body. When we eat protein, the bacteria in our intestines break it down. Ammonia is a result of this breakdown process.

The liver and kidneys are both required to further process ammonia. If either is compromised due to disease, ammonia levels will increase. If certain bacteria that produce ammonia are excessive, this too can influence the smell of our poop. When ammonia levels are increased in our stool and we cannot adequately remove it, our poop will smell like ammonia.

Liver disease

Ammonia is converted to urea in the liver. This is an important process as ammonia is toxic to our bodies. Even in small amounts, increased ammonia causes symptoms.

Symptoms of excessive ammonia include irritability, sleepiness, loss of coordination, and seizures. If these symptoms are present, go to the emergency room. These symptoms can be present with or without stools that smell like ammonia.

Diseases that affect the liver can impact its ability to filter ammonia. Cirrhosis is a common example of this, as is hepatitis. These liver diseases can be due to infection, alcohol or substance abuse, or autoimmune disorders. They frequently require specialist care to diagnose and/or manage.

Kidney disease

When the liver makes urea, the kidney normally removes it from the blood and excretes it in the urine. Diseases that affect the kidneys can disrupt this process. If ammonia cannot be filtered out of the blood, it will build up and lead to stools that smell like ammonia.

Several diseases affect the kidney’s ability to filter ammonia. Most commonly this is due to chronic kidney disease. This is when the kidneys lose their function over time. The causes of chronic kidney disease are many and various. Acute kidney diseases such as infection or inflammation of the kidneys can also impair ammonia metabolism.

Genetic disorders

In children, there are genetic disorders that lead to the inability to process ammonia. These will lead to symptoms in newborn children.

Typically symptoms are noticed within 48 hours of birth. Symptoms include lethargy, irritability, and poor feeding. If left untreated many of these disorders are fatal. There are more mild forms of these disorders that may only result in stools that smell like ammonia. These disorders however are all very rare.

Intestinal overgrowth

The bacteria living in our intestines help us digest our food. When we eat protein, our bacteria help us digest it. When they do, they produce ammonia. If there is an excess of these ammonia-producing bacteria it is called overgrowth. Normally our liver and kidneys help us filter out this ammonia. If however there is more than can be handled, our poop may smell like ammonia.

The causes of intestinal overgrowth are many and complex. Any condition affecting intestinal motility can cause it. Some examples include diabetes, hypothyroidism, and irritable bowel syndrome. Certain surgeries also make patients more susceptible to overgrowth. Most commonly these include intestinal resection for inflammatory bowel disease or various weight loss surgeries.

Read our guides on different types of stool, stool colors, and healthy vs. unhealthy stool for more.

Treatment options for poop that smells like ammonia

Treatment for poop that smells like ammonia is dependent on the cause. Many causes cannot be treated at home. Some instances can be aided by at-home remedies, however.

Treat the cause

The causes for poop that smells like ammonia are many and diverse. Treatment of these causes, whether due to liver failure, renal failure, or genetic diseases, is likewise diverse. Your doctor will help you determine the best treatment plan.

Antibiotics

If intestinal overgrowth is suspected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. It is important only to take antibiotics when they are prescribed to you.

Please take them for the length your doctor recommends. If you start feeling better and stop them early, the resistant bacteria can grow and cause your symptoms to return.

At-home remedies

If your ammonia-smelling poop is thought to be due to bacterial overgrowth, probiotics may help. Probiotics contain organisms that help improve our gut health. These can prevent harmful bacteria from overgrowing. They can also replenish our intestinal bacteria eliminated after taking antibiotics.

When you should see a doctor about poop that smells like ammonia

A poop that smells like ammonia is likely a sign that something is wrong. It isn’t necessarily an emergency, but you should be seen sooner rather than later. If you are in doubt, call your doctor and ask.

You should see a doctor if:

• Your poop smells like ammonia.
• You have abdominal pain, cramping, or diarrhea.
• You are losing weight.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• The patient is confused, sleepy, or having trouble walking/with their coordination.
• If a newborn child is experiencing any of these symptoms or poor feeding and irritability.

Questions to ask your doctor about poop that smells like ammonia

• What do you think is causing my poop to smell like ammonia?
• How long do you expect this to last?
• What other tests are needed?
• Is there anything I can do at home for this?

Frequently asked questions: poop that smells like ammonia

It is normal to have questions if your poop smells like ammonia. While it can be embarrassing to discuss, it is important to tell your doctor.

Is having poop that smells like ammonia a sign of a liver problem?

It can be. The liver plays an important role in eliminating ammonia. If liver function is decreased for any reason, ammonia may begin building up.

What if you’re pregnant and your poop smells like ammonia?

If you are pregnant and your poop smells like ammonia, please call your doctor today.

Closing thoughts

Poop that smells like ammonia is a difficult and distressing problem. It may be a sign that something more concerning is wrong. If you are experiencing poop that smells like ammonia, please call your doctor.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Pallabi Sanyal-Dey, MD.

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