A 2009 study found that creatine supplementation raised DHT levels by 56% in rugby players after 3 weeks, but no study has ever measured whether that DHT increase actually causes measurable hair loss. The gap between "raises DHT" and "causes baldness" is where personal tracking becomes essential.
The Creatine-DHT Connection: What the Science Says
Creatine monohydrate is the most studied sports supplement in history. It increases phosphocreatine stores in muscles, improving strength and power output. The hair loss concern comes from a single study published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine.
In that study, 20 rugby players took a creatine loading dose (25g/day for 7 days) followed by a maintenance dose (5g/day for 14 days). Their DHT levels rose 56% during loading and remained 40% above baseline during maintenance.
Here is the critical detail: DHT levels returned to baseline after supplementation stopped. No hair density measurements were taken during or after the study.
| Metric | Before Creatine | After Loading (7 Days) | After Maintenance (14 Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHT Level Change | Baseline | +56% | +40% |
| Testosterone | Baseline | No significant change | No significant change |
| Hair Density Data | Not measured | Not measured | Not measured |
Why Personal Tracking Fills the Research Gap
The creatine/hair loss debate persists because no clinical trial has measured follicular density during supplementation. Your individual response depends on your genetic sensitivity to DHT, your current Norwood stage, and whether you are on concurrent treatments like finasteride (which blocks 80-90% of DHT conversion).
Tracking your own density during creatine use provides the personal clinical evidence that population studies cannot.
How to Track Creatine's Effect on Your Hair
Step 1: Establish Your Baseline
Take a full density scan with myhairline.ai before starting creatine. Record readings for your frontal zone, mid-scalp, vertex, and temporal regions. This baseline becomes your control measurement.
Step 2: Begin Creatine and Track Monthly
Start your creatine protocol (typically 3 to 5g daily). Take a density scan at the same time of day, under the same lighting conditions, every 4 weeks. Log creatine dosage in your treatment notes.
Step 3: Run the Protocol for 3 to 6 Months
Three months is the minimum to detect density changes. Six months provides stronger data. During this period, keep all other variables constant. Do not start or stop finasteride, minoxidil, or any other treatment.
Step 4: Analyze Your Trend Line
Compare your density trend during creatine use against your pre-creatine baseline. Here is what the results mean:
| Density Change | Interpretation | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Stable (within 3%) | Creatine is not affecting your hair | Continue use safely |
| Mild decline (3 to 7%) | Possible effect, needs more data | Continue tracking for 3 more months |
| Significant decline (over 7%) | Creatine likely accelerating loss | Pause creatine for 3 months and rescan |
Step 5: Run the Off-Cycle Test
If you see a decline, stop creatine for 3 months while continuing scans. If density stabilizes or recovers, you have strong evidence that creatine was the contributing factor. If density continues declining at the same rate, your loss is likely driven by androgenetic alopecia progression, not creatine.
Combining Creatine with Hair Loss Treatments
Many athletes want to use both creatine and DHT-blocking treatments. Finasteride blocks 65 to 70% of DHT conversion, which may offset creatine's DHT-raising effect. Tracking density while using both provides data on whether the combination keeps your hair stable.
If you are already on finasteride (which halts loss in 80-90% of users), the additional DHT from creatine may be neutralized by the medication. Your density data will confirm this within 6 months.
What the Data Typically Shows
Based on myhairline.ai user tracking patterns, most creatine users with early-stage hair loss (Norwood 2 to 3) see no statistically significant density change over 6 months. Users at more advanced stages (Norwood 4+) occasionally see accelerated thinning, but confounding variables like age-related progression make it difficult to attribute the change solely to creatine without the off-cycle test.
When to Involve a Doctor
If your tracking data shows a density decline greater than 10% during creatine use, share your myhairline.ai report with a dermatologist. The report includes your density trend, photo timeline, and treatment log, giving your doctor the data they need to make an informed recommendation.
You should also consider a DHT blood test tracking protocol to correlate your serum DHT levels with your density changes during creatine use.
The Bottom Line
The creatine/hair loss question does not have a universal answer. It has a personal one. Track your density before, during, and after creatine use to get your answer based on your biology, not internet speculation.
Start your baseline scan today at myhairline.ai/analyze and let the data decide whether creatine stays in your stack.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting or stopping any supplement or treatment.