Debunking the Myth: Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?
Explore the connection between creatine supplementation and hair loss, examining a 2009 study on DHT levels and evaluating the current evidence. Discover why one study isn't enough to confirm the claim.
Kreatin causes hairloss
The idea that creatine supplementation might cause hair loss originates from a study conducted in 2009 involving college-aged rugby players. This study observed a significant increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels after creatine supplementation. DHT is a metabolite of testosterone known for its role in androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness)1. The study reported a 56% increase in DHT after 7 days of creatine loading, and levels remained 40% higher than the baseline after 14 days of maintenance dosing1.
However, it's important to note that this is the only study demonstrating such an effect on DHT levels, and there has been no direct research linking creatine supplementation to hair loss. Additionally, the increase in DHT observed was within the normal physiological range, and no clinical evidence confirmed that the elevated DHT levels resulted directly in hair loss2.
Critically, 12 other trials have tested creatine’s effects on testosterone, and these did not observe significant increases in testosterone levels, which gets converted to DHT. Only two short-term trials (6 and 7 days) reported minor increases in testosterone3.
Therefore, while there is a theoretical basis for concern due to the single study's results, there is a lack of substantial evidence directly linking creatine supplementation to hair loss. Overall, more research is needed to conclusively determine whether creatine causes hair loss.
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