Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?

Table of Contents

• What is Creatine?
• Benefits of Creatine
• Is There a Link Between Creatine and Hair Loss?
• Can Creatine Cause Hair Loss?
• What Does Research Say About Creatine and Hair Loss?
• Will My Hair Grow Back If I Stop Taking Creatine?
• Other Causes of Hair Loss

What is Creatine?

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in the body, produced by the liver, kidneys and pancreas. It is stored in muscles and is used as a source of energy for high-intensity, short-duration activities including running and weightlifting. It is naturally found in protein-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, fish and animal milk. [1]

Creatine also comes as a supplement in the form of powder or tablets. It is relatively safe to consume daily for long-term use. Creatine monohydrate is the most studied and most common type of creatine supplement on the market. In recent years, creatine supplements have gained popularity among professional athletes, bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts due to their potential benefits.

Benefits of Creatine

Creatine supplements provide many benefits including:

• Improved performance and muscle strength
• Increased muscle mass
• Preventing muscle injury or soreness
• Speeding up muscle recovery time
• Enhancing brain function

Research also shows that creatine supplements may reduce or slow down neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Some neurological diseases are caused by a reduction of phosphocreatine in the brain and creatine works by increasing these levels. However, there is limited research that shows this in humans. [2]

Is There a Link Between Creatine and Hair Loss?

Over the years, there has been a debate about whether or not creatine causes hair loss in men. Many individuals experience hair thinning or loss while taking creatine supplements, leading to the speculation that there is a link between the two. To explain this theory further, you need to understand how creatine works and what causes hair loss.

Can Creatine Cause Hair Loss?

Creatine works by increasing the production of a primary energy source for muscle contraction called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). When creatine supplements are taken, it is stored in the muscles as phosphocreatine, which helps to quickly replenish ATP levels during high-intensity activities, allowing athletes to work out for longer. Additionally, creatine has been shown to draw more water into muscle cells, which can increase muscle size and improve overall physical performance.

In most cases, particularly in men, hair loss is caused by a genetic condition called androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). It is caused by increased levels of the androgen hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The enzyme 5-alpha reductase is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT. High DHT levels in the body have been shown to shrink hair follicles and prevent new hair growth, leading to noticeable hair thinning or loss in specific areas such as the hairline or on the crown of the head in men.

While creatine supplements are not classified as steroids and do not aim to impact hormonal levels, some research suggests that taking creatine supplements may increase DHT levels in men.

What Does Research Say about Creatine and Hair Loss?

In 2009, a study was carried out to investigate the link between creatine monohydrate supplements and DHT levels. A group of 20 college-aged rugby players were assigned to take creatine monohydrate supplements or a placebo for 7 days followed by 14 days of maintenance. The study found that DHT levels increased by 56% after 7 days during the creatine loading phase and these levels were still elevated by 40% during the 14-day maintenance period. Additionally, the ratio of DHT to testosterone also increased by 36% after 7 days and remained elevated by 22% after the maintenance period. [3]

While few studies suggest creatine is a potential factor in male hair loss, there is not enough research to fully support this. How exactly creatine claims to increase DHT levels is not fully understood yet.

Will My Hair Grow Back if I Stop Taking Creatine?

If you are currently taking creatine supplements and experiencing hair loss, it might be worth stopping or switching to a different supplement such as whey protein for a few months to see if there is a difference in hair growth. If your hair begins to regrow after a while, it may be possible that your supplements are causing creatine-induced hair loss. If your hair loss continues to progress after discontinuing creatine supplements, it may be caused by another factor.

Other Causes of Hair Loss

Men can experience hair loss for several reasons including stress, age, iron deficiency, genetics, weight loss, certain medications and health conditions. [4] If genetics plays a main role, meaning if hair loss is in your family history, you may be experiencing male pattern baldness. 

Luckily, there are prescription medications to prevent hair loss and restore hair growth. One of the most common medications for male pattern baldness is Finasteride 1mg. You can purchase oral Finasteride 1mg tablets on Chemist Click and have them delivered straight to your door in discreet packaging. To get started, complete a free online consultation here. 

If you are unsure why your hair is thinning or shedding, consult with your healthcare provider to determine the right treatment.

Sources

1. Cleveland Clinic (2023). Creatine. Retrieved 6th September 2024, from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17674-creatine
2. Healthline (2024). 10 Health and Performance Benefits of Creatine. Retrieved 6th September, from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-creatine
3. van der Merwe J, Brooks NE, Myburgh KH. (2009). Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players. Retrieved 6th September 2024, from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19741313/
4. NHS (2024). Hair Loss. Retrieved 6th September 2024, from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.