Can You Smell Diabetes?

The fat-burning process creates a buildup of acids in your blood called ketones, which leads to DKA if untreated. Fruity-smelling breath is a sign of high levels of ketones in someone who already has diabetes. It's also one of the first symptoms that doctors look for when they check for DKA.

What does diabetes body odor smell like?

A fruity smell could indicate diabetes due to having high levels of ketones in the bloodstream, while liver or kidney disease can often lead to a bleach- or ammonia-like smell due to a buildup of toxins in the body.

Do diabetics have a smell to them?

When your cells are deprived of energy from glucose, they begin to burn fat instead. This fat burning process creates a byproduct called ketones, which is a type of acid produced by the liver. Ketones tend to produce an odor that's similar to acetone. This type of bad breath isn't unique to people with diabetes.