Understanding the Science: Is creatine high in DHT?

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

The concern over whether Is creatine high in DHT? stems from a single, small study conducted in 2009 involving male rugby players. Despite this one study suggesting a link, more comprehensive and recent research has largely debunked the notion that creatine significantly impacts dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in a way that causes hair loss.

Quick Summary

The link between creatine and hair loss is weak and based on a small, outdated study that was never replicated. Later, more rigorous research found no significant effect on DHT levels or hair follicle health from creatine supplementation. Hair loss is primarily determined by genetics and hormonal sensitivity, not by creatine use.

Key Points

Limited Evidence: The link between creatine and increased DHT levels stems from one small 2009 study that has not been replicated.
No Proven Hair Loss Link: Despite the 2009 study, no evidence has directly linked creatine supplementation to hair loss or follicle damage.
Genetics is the Main Factor: Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is primarily driven by genetics, not creatine use.
Recent Research Debunks the Myth: A comprehensive 2025 study found no significant effect on DHT levels or hair health after 12 weeks of creatine supplementation.
Majority Report No Issues: Millions use creatine safely and report no issues with hair loss, suggesting the risk is minimal, if it exists at all.
Monitor and Consult: Individuals with a genetic predisposition to baldness should monitor their hair and consult a healthcare professional if they notice changes, but should not necessarily blame creatine.

Creatine: A Staple in Sports Nutrition

Creatine is one of the most extensively researched and popular natural supplements in the world of fitness and sports nutrition. It is a compound that helps muscle cells produce energy during high-intensity exercise, leading to improved strength, muscle mass, and power. Given its popularity, it's understandable that many myths have arisen over the years. One of the most persistent and worrying for users is the alleged link between creatine supplementation and hair loss via an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

The Origin of the 'Creatine and DHT' Concern

The theory that creatine leads to hair loss gained traction following a 2009 study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine. In this study, 20 college-aged male rugby players supplemented with creatine monohydrate for three weeks. The protocol included a loading phase (25g/day for 7 days) followed by a maintenance phase (5g/day for 14 days).

Study Findings: Researchers observed a temporary increase in serum DHT levels, which rose by 56% during the loading phase and remained 40% above baseline during the maintenance phase. This was statistically significant compared to the placebo group. The study authors speculated that creatine might increase the conversion of testosterone to DHT, though they did not find a significant change in testosterone itself.
Study Limitations: The core issue with citing this study as proof is its significant limitations. It had a very small sample size, a short duration, and most importantly, it did not measure actual hair loss or changes in hair follicle health. The DHT levels also remained within normal clinical limits for healthy adult males. This led to a large-scale misinterpretation, where a temporary hormonal change in a very specific population was presented as conclusive evidence of baldness for all creatine users.

Recent and More Robust Research

Since 2009, a body of more reliable and comprehensive research has emerged that has largely failed to replicate the initial DHT findings. This includes meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and a recent, more rigorous study that directly addressed the issue.

Meta-analyses and Reviews: Reviews of multiple studies examining creatine's effect on androgen hormones, including testosterone and DHT, have found no consistent or significant increases. The hormonal fluctuations reported in the 2009 study have not been reliably reproduced in larger trials.
The 2025 Study: A landmark 12-week randomized controlled trial, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition in 2025, specifically investigated the relationship between creatine and hair loss. This was the first study to directly assess hair follicle health. The study involved 38 resistance-trained men, with one group taking 5g/day of creatine and the other a placebo. The findings were conclusive:
- No significant changes in DHT or testosterone levels were observed between the creatine and placebo groups.
- There were no differences in hair growth parameters, including hair density, between the groups.

DHT and Hair Loss: The Genetic Connection

It is critical to understand that hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), is primarily driven by genetics and hormonal sensitivity. DHT does play a role by shrinking hair follicles in genetically predisposed individuals, but creatine's impact on this process is now widely considered insignificant based on the totality of the evidence. For most people, taking creatine in recommended doses poses no risk to their hair health.

Creatine Study Comparisons


Study / Source	Focus	Findings Regarding DHT & Hair Loss
Van der Merwe et al., 2009	Short-term creatine supplementation on hormone levels in rugby players	Found a temporary 56% increase in DHT during loading phase, but did not measure hair loss. Single, unreplicated study.
Forbes et al., 2021 (Meta-analysis)	Comprehensive review of multiple creatine-hormone studies	Found no consistent, significant hormonal changes, including DHT, across various studies.
Tandfonline, 2025 (12-week RCT)	Direct assessment of creatine's effect on androgen levels and hair follicle health	Found no significant effect on DHT, testosterone, or hair growth parameters.
Medical News Today, 2024	Review of evidence and risks regarding creatine and hair loss	Concludes evidence is weak and the link is inconclusive, citing the limitations of the 2009 study.

Conclusion

There is no strong scientific evidence to support the claim that Is creatine high in DHT? or that creatine supplementation causes hair loss. The concern originated from a single, small 2009 study whose findings were temporary and have not been replicated by subsequent, more robust research. For the vast majority of people, the primary cause of hair loss is genetic predisposition, not creatine use. Millions of people safely use creatine to enhance athletic performance with no adverse effects on their hair. If you are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness, it is important to understand that creatine is unlikely to be the primary cause of any hair thinning you experience. If you have concerns, consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health or treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, current scientific evidence does not support a direct link between creatine and hair loss. The concern comes from a single study that showed a temporary increase in DHT, but it did not measure hair loss and its findings have not been replicated.

The alleged relationship is based on a 2009 study where a small group of rugby players had a temporary increase in DHT after a creatine loading phase. However, this result has not been consistently reproduced, and later research found no significant changes in DHT levels from creatine use.

The primary cause of male and female pattern hair loss is a genetic predisposition to follicle sensitivity to DHT. Other factors like stress, nutritional deficiencies, and certain medical conditions also contribute.

For most individuals, there is no need to stop taking creatine based on hair loss fears, as the evidence is weak. If you have a strong genetic predisposition, consider speaking with a doctor or dermatologist, but be aware that other factors are more likely culprits.

While theoretically possible for someone with high genetic sensitivity to DHT, there is no clinical evidence to confirm that creatine accelerates genetic hair loss. The hormonal changes, if any, are likely not significant enough to impact follicles beyond what genetics dictate.

No, the 2009 rugby study only measured hormonal levels, specifically DHT, and did not assess or report on actual hair loss or changes in hair density among participants.

Yes, creatine is widely regarded as safe for long-term use in healthy individuals when taken in recommended doses. Major sports nutrition organizations endorse its safety and effectiveness.

Women have significantly lower DHT levels than men, making them less susceptible to this specific androgen-related hair loss mechanism. While the effects have not been widely studied in women, the risk of creatine-induced hair loss appears minimal.