Creatine Hair Loss

Quick Summary

About Creatine: Creatine supplements are popular among athletes and bodybuilders- it helps in supplying energy to muscles during high-intensity exercise.

Creatine Hair Loss: There’s debate over whether creatine may contribute to hair loss, potentially due to its impact on DHT levels, a hormone linked to hair loss.

Seeking Expert Advice: Androgenic alopecia, or hereditary baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss, but other factors such as hormonal changes, medical conditions, and stress can also play a role. It’s best to consult a doctor if you are concerned about potential side effects of creatine.

Key Takeaway: While some studies suggest a connection between creatine and increased DHT levels, there isn’t enough evidence to definitively conclude that creatine causes hair loss, and further research is needed.

Creatine supplements are thought to help your muscles to produce more energy, improving high-intensity physical performance and speeding up muscle growth. However, there is some discussion around whether creatine may or may not cause hair loss.

In this article, we’ll explore whether or not creatine causes hair loss. We’ll define creatine, before discussing its uses and if it can impact DHT levels, leading to hair loss.

Understanding Creatine Supplements

Creatine supplements have become a staple in the fitness community, particularly among athletes and bodybuilders aiming to boost their muscle mass, strength, and endurance.

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance found predominantly in muscle tissue, where it plays an important role in providing energy during high-intensity activities. By increasing the amount of creatine stored in the muscles, creatine supplements enable more intense and prolonged workouts, ultimately aiding in building muscle mass and improved performance.

What is the most common cause of hair loss?

Hair loss can be caused by many factors. However, the most common cause of hair loss is androgenic alopecia — a hereditary condition that occurs with ageing. Also known as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness, this type of balding develops gradually in patterns such as crown bald spots or a receding hairline or temples.

There are also other causes of hair loss such as:

• Hormonal changes
• Medical conditions like alopecia areata
• Medications like antidepressants
• Stressful events
• Radiation therapy
• Certain hairstyles and hair treatments
• Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol

What is creatine used for?

Creatine is a naturally-occurring amino acid that helps the muscles produce energy during high-intensity exercise. Athletes and bodybuilders take creatine supplements not only to improve their performance but to help them gain muscle and increase their strength. A creatine supplement regimen typically involves a loading phase with higher initial doses followed by a maintenance phase with lower daily dosages.

Creatine may also be used for treating fatigue, muscle cramps, neuromuscular conditions, depression, multiple sclerosis and congestive heart failure, as well as numerous other conditions.

How does creatine work?

There are several ways in which creatine is thought to improve health and enhance athletic performance. 

Creatine increases the stores of phosphocreatine — a form of stored energy — in the muscles during high-intensity exercise. These additional phosphocreatine stores can increase your production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — a substance which provides the energy for muscle contractions. When you have more ATP, your body can perform better during exercise.

Creatine may also be effective in improving functional performance in muscle disorders and increasing strength and endurance when it comes to heart disease. There is even some evidence to suggest that creatine supplements may help improve symptoms of neurological disease.

Creatine and DHT levels

Creatine may cause side effects, and there is some evidence that it may increase levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) — the sex hormone that may contribute to hair loss. DHT binds to receptors in hair follicles, leading to shorter hair growth cycles and eventual hair loss commonly seen as male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss.

Whilst the ability of creatine to improve athletic performance has a good body of research behind it, there is only a limited amount of evidence to support the link between creatine and hair loss. Individuals experiencing hair thinning whilst taking Creatine should be aware that to date there is no direct correlation between creatine and hair loss. More scientific studies will need to be done to explore the impact of creatine on hair loss.

Some research has suggested that creatine supplements increase DHT levels in men. One study gave a creatine supplement to college-aged rugby players over a period of three weeks and calculated their dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio. The study concluded that levels of DHT increased by 56% after one week of creatine loading and remained 40% above baseline after 14 days.

However, the study suggested that further investigation was warranted. It is also important to note that the researchers didn’t assess any hair loss in participants during the study — only the impact of creatine on DHT levels.

Can creatine supplementation cause hair loss?

There isn’t enough evidence to show whether or not creatine can cause hair loss. According to the study mentioned above, creatine can cause hair loss but in an indirect way. Creatine supplements may cause an increase in DHT levels, which increases the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. This may lead to hair loss. 

An academic article published in 2021 entitled ‘Common Questions and Misconceptions About Creatine Supplementation: What Does the Scientific Evidence Really Show?’ looks at the current body of evidence around creatine and hair loss — including the study on rugby players — and concluded that there wasn’t enough evidence to suggest that creatine supplementation increases or causes hair loss or baldness. 

It is important to assess hair loss when considering creatine supplementation. Many studies do not specifically evaluate the presence or extent of hair loss among participants, leaving a gap in understanding the actual effects of increased DHT levels on hair health.

Creatine hair loss and anabolic steroids (TRT)

If you are an athlete who takes creatine alongside other performance enhancing medication like anabolic steroids, you will be at an increased risk of hair loss. Generally, performance enhancing substances like Testosterone (TRT) in the form of gel or injection helps to build muscle mass and enhance recovery time. However, by taking Testosterone, you will indirectly increase the amount of DHT in your body which will in turn cause hair loss.

This can sometimes confuse potential of creatine supplements causing hair loss when in fact it is the excessive intake of Testosterone that is leading to hair loss in the form of androgenic alopecia.

Is hair loss from creatine permanent?

If you think you may be experiencing hair loss that is due to creatine, shedding would likely begin around two months after you started consuming the supplement. 

In a scenario where the hair loss or thinning you observed was due to taking creatine, your hair would grow back after you stopped taking the supplement. In other cases, creatine may be a catalyst for androgenic alopecia or another genetic condition. This might mean you would need a hair loss treatment for your hair to grow back. In cases where hair loss is permanent you may need to undergo an FUE or FUT hair transplant surgery which will restore hair in areas of balding.

There is not enough evidence to show irrefutably that creatine causes hair loss. But, as explained above, if you are considering whether to stop taking creatine because it may cause hair loss it might help to trial a period without it and assess your hair loss.

Potential Side Effects of Creatine

While creatine supplements are generally considered safe for most people, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects. Some individuals may experience stomach cramps, diarrohea, and nausea. Muscle cramping and strains are also possible, as well as weight gain due to water retention. There is some concern about potential kidney damage, particularly with long-term use. Additionally, the topic of hair loss and baldness remains debated, with some suggesting a possible link between creatine and increased DHT levels, which could promote hair loss.

It’s important to note that these side effects are typically mild and temporary. However, if you experience any severe or persistent side effects, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure your safety and well-being.

Alternatives to Creatine Supplements

If you’re seeking alternatives to creatine supplements, several options can help you achieve similar benefits in muscle growth and high-intensity exercise performance. Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are known to promote muscle growth and recovery, reducing muscle soreness and fatigue. Lastly, L-Glutamine is another amino acid that supports muscle recovery and immune function.

How to prevent hair loss from creatine

If you are worried about your hair loss whilst training on creatine, you may want to talk to a Doctor or Sports and Exercise Nutritionist. The potential to increase DHT levels can accelerate hair loss especially if you are genetically predisposed to it. However, it is still important to recognise that there is insufficient evidence to prove if creatine causes hair loss or not.

Medical Hair Loss Treatments and Creatine

If you suspect that your hair loss is linked to creatine supplementation, several medical treatments can help. Minoxidil, a topical medication, can stimulate hair growth and slow down hair loss. Finasteride, an oral medication, works by blocking the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair loss. Dutasteride, similar to finasteride, may be even more effective in inhibiting DHT production. It’s always important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any medical treatment for hair loss to ensure it’s appropriate for your specific situation.

Lifestyle and Dietary Changes for Hair Growth

In addition to medical treatments, making certain lifestyle and dietary changes can promote hair growth and reduce the risk of hair loss due to creatine supplementation. Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly those that support hair growth like biotin, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, is crucial.

Reducing stress through techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can also be beneficial. Regular exercise, including cardio and strength training, promotes overall health and well-being, which can positively impact hair growth. Avoid using harsh chemicals in hair dyes or hair bleaching, and heat styling tools that can damage hair. Try to ensure you get enough sleep, as this is not only important for muscle recovery but sleep deprivation can also contribute to hair loss.

By incorporating these lifestyle and dietary changes, you can support healthy hair growth and mitigate the potential impact of creatine supplementation on hair loss.

Get in touch

If you are taking creatine to aid athletic performance, and are concerned that your intake of the supplement may be causing hair loss, consult your doctor.

You can also get in touch with the professionals at The Treatment Rooms London for specialist advice on hair loss. Our team of specialists and highly experienced surgeons are more than happy to discuss all hair loss treatment options — from to FUT and FUE hair transplants.

At our London hair transplant clinic, you can benefit from unparalleled service, a personalised treatment plan and the most advanced techniques. We are known for providing a patient experience which is second to none, ensuring your comfort throughout the entire process and delivering expert guidance and aftercare.

Book a consultation today or call us on 020 8706 0076.

References

• https://www.cochrane.org/CD004760/NEUROMUSC_creatine-for-treating-muscle-disorders
• https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2003/3/report_creatine
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19741313/ 
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7916590/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7871530
• Photo credit for featured image: https://besttestosteronebooster.com/