Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?

Creatine for hair is a source of energy and an organic compound naturally produced by your liver, kidneys and pancreas. It is stored in the skeletal muscles, and the body uses it as energy. But does creatine cause hair loss? 

A study was conducted in 2009 in South Africa on a group of young college rugby players regarding creatine for hair and it’s effect on hair loss. These players were given supplements that contained creatine for hair, for three weeks. Researchers of this study found that the level of DHT increased over fifty per cent, but the levels of testosterone didn’t change.  

So if you ask if there is something called creatine hair loss or thinning hair, there isn’t much to indicate that creatine in hair can cause hair loss. We have evidence from personal experiences of people, and at times, these claims against creatine for hair and hair loss can be anecdotal. 

This article will unfurl the relation between creatine for hair and DHT, creatine hair loss and side effects of creatine for hair. Read on to learn what research has to say about creatine in hair or hair loss/thinning hair line and discover more on does creatine cause hair loss.

Relationship Between Creatine For Hair & DHT

To answer the question, does creatine cause hair loss, we need to understand the relation between DHT and creatine for hair. But before that, what is DHT? DHT is a male sex hormone, meaning it stimulates the development of male characteristics. It is linked to hair loss and other health issues. DHT is derived from testosterone, but it is more dominant than testosterone. 

Creatine for hair increases the DHT levels by converting testosterone into a more active form. Since DHT is a more active and potent form of testosterone, which is also responsible for hair growth, with an increase in the DHT, creatine in hair can cause hair loss. 

Citing the example of the creatine for hair – tests on the rugby players, an increase in the DHT level was observed in the study. We know that DHT levels play a significant role in hair loss; this can increase a person’s risk of hair loss, especially if they are exposed to hormonal hair loss or genetic hair loss issues.

That said, more research work is required to conclude whether DHT increase due to supplements containing creatine for hair can lead to creatine hair loss. 

Possible Side Effects Of Creatine For Hair 

Along with finding an answer to whether creatine in hair causes creatine hair loss, you also need to know about the side effects of creatine for hair. And if you consider using it, you but definetely look out for creatine side effects. Below we discuss the side effects of creatine and hair loss:

• Water retention
• Weight gain
• Dizziness
• Dehydration
• Fever 
• Heat intolerance
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramping
• Nausea
• Gastrointestinal pain 
• Kidney issues

One must always check for creatine side effects especially if allergic. While you should consider all of these side effects of creatine in hair, these side effects of creatine for hair also largely depend on your body and any underlying diseases. People undergoing medication should be cautious while using as significant side effects of creatine for hair can also cause harm to the liver and heart. But does creatine cause hair loss ?

What Does Research Say About Creatine For Hair?

Does creatine cause hair loss? There is a lot of analysis needed to sum up an answer to whether creatine for hair causes hair loss, but for now, there isn’t much to point out that supplements containing creatine for hair can cause hair loss. As mentioned already, it largely depends and varies from person to person and their take on creatine and hair loss. 

There isn’t much scientific research to feed us with an appropriate answer: does creatine cause hair loss. There is only one scientific literature piece of the rugby players research we talked about earlier in the article. The players in the study took a whopping amount of creatine – twenty-five grams a day. Usually, the recommended amount is five grams. 

The researchers found that creatine for hair may enhance the conversion of testosterone to DHT – the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. But if you reconsider the research and question, does creatine cause hair loss, you’ll find that it did not prove that creatine in hair can causes hair loss. Moreover, the study was done only on a very small group of people.