Does creatine cause hair loss?
This might seem like a cop out, but I would say the real answer is that we don’t actually know!
But first things first, what raised the alarm in the first place?
Well there was a research study done on some rugby players looking at the effects of creatine on DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) and testosterone levels in the blood.
The effect on DHT is of particular note, as it’s believed that DHT plays a role in male pattern balding as it can cause hair follicles (the holes in your skin that hair grows out of) to shrink.
So what did they find?
After 21 days they found no significant change in testosterone levels but they did find a significant increase in DHT levels!
Does that mean if I take creatine my hair will instantly fall out?
No! In fact some people have gone as far as to disregard this study entirely and many trusted sources have been critical of the paper’s findings in relation to creatine’s supposed effect on hair loss. For example, Examine.com summed it up as the following:
“To sum up: (i) Only one trial has reported an increase in DHT levels with supplemental creatine; (ii) although DHT levels increased, they stayed well within the normal range; (iii) no other trials have looked at the effect of supplementing with creatine on DHT levels, but 10 of the 12 trials looking at the effect of supplemental creatine on testosterone, five of which also looked at free testosterone, reported no effect; and (iv) the effect of supplemental creatine on hair loss hasn’t been directly studied.”
However, I’m not so sure these conclusions best represent what we know. So let’s look at each of the four conclusions in turn:
“(i) Only one trial has reported an increase in DHT levels with supplemental creatine”
This is technically true, but it’s important to note there’s actually only one study looking at this. So I think a more representative conclusion would be the only study that looked at the effect of supplemental creatine on DHT levels found a significant increase
“(ii) Although DHT levels increased, they stayed well within the normal range”
This is a very fair criticism! As just because there was a clear change in DHT levels, it doesn’t mean that change would have any noticeable effect on hair loss. Furthermore, the fact that the increase didn’t even move DHT levels out of the normal range, could indicate that there really is nothing to worry about. Moreover, I’ve not seen any studies looking at the effect of an increase in DHT levels within the normal range on hair loss.
However, we do have examples looking at how a decrease in DHT levels within the normal range can have a dramatic effect on hair loss. Finasteride is a drug that can be used to treat male pattern baldness with remarkable results (bear in mind there can be side effects, this is not an endorsement of Finasteride, and you should consult a medical professional before considering treatment). Finasteride works by decreasing DHT levels and studies have shown improvements when it comes to male pattern baldness, even when the decrease has stayed within the normal range. To be clear, I’m not making any claims that creatine will have an equal and opposite effect to an effective hair loss drug like Finasteride. I am simply making the point that even if the change in DHT stays within the normal range, then there still can be a dramatic effect on hair loss
“(iii) no other trials have looked at the effect of supplementing with creatine on DHT levels, but 10 of the 12 trials looking at the effect of supplemental creatine on testosterone, five of which also looked at free testosterone, reported no effect”
Personally, I think that this point is largely irrelevant.
They state that “no other trials have looked at the effect of supplementing with creatine on DHT levels” and this is where I think the sentence should end.
However, they go on to say that most trials reported no effect of supplemental creatine on testosterone levels. The reason I think this is irrelevant is because that’s also what the original study found! Remember that after 21 days they found no significant change in testosterone levels! The concern with the original study had nothing to do with any changes to testosterone levels and only to do with its effect on DHT levels. Hence why I think it’s irrelevant to bring up other studies that only looked at testosterone levels.
“(iv) the effect of supplemental creatine on hair loss hasn’t been directly studied”
This I completely agree with and it’s why I think the real answer is we don’t actually know! This is also why I would be apprehensive to trust someone who says that they do! To get to the bottom of this, we really need studies that directly look at the effect of supplemental creatine on hair loss.
So what do I recommend?
Well I’m going to cop out again and say that it’s up to you to weigh up the potential pros and cons. However, I would keep the following in mind when you do:
DHT is believed to play a role in male pattern baldness
The only study that looked at the effect of supplemental creatine on DHT levels found a significant increase
Even if the change in DHT stays within the normal range, then there still can be a dramatic effect on hair loss