Does Creatine cause hair loss? Check out this study...
Many different types of work out supplements have been know to cause hair loss.
These supplements increase testosterone levels which increase DHT and muscle mass. But the side effect of increased DHT leads to hair loss.
The common prevalence and availability of work out supplements makes it very easy to use them on a regular basis.
However the problem with these supplements is that the effects are not seen for many months when they affect the
growth cycle of the hair follicle.
A very common supplement is creatine. Creatine is used to "bulk" up and increase muscle mass.
It is the second most common work out product after whey protein isolate.
The hormonal effects of creatine is shown in the following study.
"Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players."
"INTERVENTIONS:
Subjects loaded with creatine (25 g/day creatine with 25 g/day glucose) or placebo (50 g/day glucose) for 7 days followed by 14 days of maintenance (5 g/day creatine with 25 g/day glucose or 30 g/day glucose placebo).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Serum T and DHT were measured and ratio calculated at baseline and after 7 days and 21 days of creatine supplementation (or placebo). Body composition measurements were taken at each time point."
RESULTS:
After 7 days of creatine loading, or a further 14 days of creatine maintenance dose, serum T levels did not change. However, levels of DHT increased by 56% after 7 days of creatine loading and remained 40% above baseline after 14 days maintenance (P < 0.001). The ratio of DHT:T also increased by 36% after 7 days creatine supplementation and remained elevated by 22% after the maintenance dose (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS:
Creatine supplementation may, in part, act through an increased rate of conversion of T to DHT. Further investigation is warranted as a result of the high frequency of individuals using creatine supplementation and the long-term safety of alterations in circulating androgen composition. STATEMENT OF CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although creatine is a widely used ergogenic aid, the mechanisms of action are incompletely understood, particularly in relation to dihydrotestosterone, and therefore the long-term clinical safety cannot be guaranteed."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19741313
So the conclusion is that because of increased DHT levels we see actual hair loss.
In fact in my clinic we have seen creatine cause hair loss in many patients. If caught early and stopping the creatine we have seen reversal using Help Hair shake.
Read our entire extensive research this subject and published paper.
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