Creatine might raise DHT levels (dht responsbile for baldness and enlarged prostate)

[Skalami]

Hey guys just read this article on ergo log thought people here might be interested in it:

http://www.ergo-log.com/creadht.html

now heres the thing, it looks like it does increase DHT around 50% in this limited study BUT more DHT only will cause baldness in those predisposed to it. So if you dont have thinning hair or dont appear to be in the early stages of balding you should be fine but if youre already starting and trying to hold it at bay then taking creatine might be a no-no.

Also might be responsible for an enlarged prostate, like an opposite effect of a prostate control medication (which reduces DHT in the blood) creatine looks like it might increase DHT in the blood.

[Tom Mutaffis]

I wonder what brand of creatine they were using? This is the first that I have heard of the potential DHT increases and it could perhaps be associated with a contaminated product.

[Sean S]

I will try and find the actual article from the university library and see if I can find the particulars of the study.

[devongarver]

I wonder what brand of creatine they were using? This is the first that I have heard of the potential DHT increases and it could perhaps be associated with a contaminated product.

This^^^^

I am new to creatine and was very afraid of it(kid died from heart failure) but after reading up on it, I found that every case I was reading where someone had experienced a negative impact of any way, was abusing the product.

I also read that purity is one of the biggest differentials in creatine sold by different distributors. Contaminants like heavy metals are commonplace in lower grade products. Do you think heavy metals could cause these effects? The way i understood it, and I may be wrong, is that excess estrogen levels cause a rise in DHT. And excess toxins in your liver, that it cannot filter out, get converted to estrogen. So, couldn't the heavy metals cause this?



EDIT:

After reading this article, these "doctors" are foolish. Thet used a 25g dose for the first whole week!!! Thats a ridiculous amount!! And then they continued at 5g daily the following weeks!!

[Skalami]

But this isnt really a case of it doing something wrong, unless the manufacturers of the brand they used spiked it with some kinda hormonal thing i dont think this is a case of low quality creatine.

[Tom Mutaffis]

But this isnt really a case of it doing something wrong, unless the manufacturers of the brand they used spiked it with some kinda hormonal thing i dont think this is a case of low quality creatine.

I would have my doubts about that study since creatine is such a heavily researched supplement.

With that said, I have heard that DHT has been found in certain creatine products. Unfortunately I do not have the details but will try to do some research later today.

[PFM8241988]

any response to this??? as a 21 yr old man who isnt balding, but is predisposed to it w a bald father, im not looking to increase my chances of this anymore than i have to... get back to me. thank you. i am currently taking the $20 creatine from ALN.

[Tom Mutaffis]

I spoke with a friend of mine who is a Researcher and he said that DHT was found in the HPLC on some creatine a while back, but the amount was low and they did not look into it further at the time. Certains products may contain more or less but with CreaPure being a high potency product I would assume that it is safer than the alternatives.

Since the topic was mentioned I will look into it a little further but I would not be overly concerned. With the number of studies done on creatine if it were a notable issue something would have been uncovered long before this. Perhaps it was just that brand/batch that was tainted or had higher than usual concentrations.

[dynamo]

I spoke with a friend of mine who is a Researcher and he said that DHT was found in the HPLC on some creatine a while back, but the amount was low and they did not look into it further at the time. Certains products may contain more or less but with CreaPure being a high potency product I would assume that it is safer than the alternatives.

Since the topic was mentioned I will look into it a little further but I would not be overly concerned. With the number of studies done on creatine if it were a notable issue something would have been uncovered long before this. Perhaps it was just that brand/batch that was tainted or had higher than usual concentrations.

Hey Tom can you find out what solvent they used for the creatine HPLC run? I would assume some sort of alcohol since creatine doesn't dissolve too well in water. I might be able to do a run or two on an HPLC machine I have in the lab I work in.

[Tom Mutaffis]

Hey Tom can you find out what solvent they used for the creatine HPLC run? I would assume some sort of alcohol since creatine doesn't dissolve too well in water. I might be able to do a run or two on an HPLC machine I have in the lab I work in.

I will try to find out for you and report back.

Unfortunately since it was a few years ago the gentleman who I spoke with was not able to pull the specifics. If you could run things that would be interesting; specifically if you could look at a couple of different products.

[chris mason]

a) That is one study.
b) I would need a better reference point to judge if the increase were truly significant in terms of any physiological reaction.

Nutshell, one study with a relatively small sample group over a short period of time like that really doesn't mean much. I would have to see a lot more data to make any sort of a judgement.

[Tom Mutaffis]

a) That is one study.
b) I would need a better reference point to judge if the increase were truly significant in terms of any physiological reaction.

Nutshell, one study with a relatively small sample group over a short period of time like that really doesn't mean much. I would have to see a lot more data to make any sort of a judgement.

Agreed.

Creatine has been widely popular for more than 10 years now and no relationship to DHT levels has been noted; despite dozens of thorough clinical studies and coutnless personal trials.

The fact that something exists in trace amounts is not a big deal and this is perhaps just a company trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill just to build some publicity.

Not to get off topic but that same resource posted an article on neck exercises that was widely debated and appeared to be contradictory.

I would not be at all concerned with creatine and safety. If the impact on DHT was notable then it would have been uncovered years ago.

[chris mason]

Agreed.

Creatine has been widely popular for more than 10 years now and no relationship to DHT levels has been noted; despite dozens of thorough clinical studies and coutnless personal trials.

The fact that something exists in trace amounts is not a big deal and this is perhaps just a company trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill just to build some publicity.

Not to get off topic but that same resource posted an article on neck exercises that was widely debated and appeared to be contradictory.

I would not be at all concerned with creatine and safety. If the impact on DHT was notable then it would have been uncovered years ago.


It was a legitimate study in terms of being published in a recognized journal etc. With that said, it is just one study and woefully inadequate in terms of information from which to come to any meaningful conclusions.

[Skalami]

Wonder if the cheap brand from Wal Mart (probably exported from China) has any extra additives in it...

[Whuditdew]

Has this been disproved yet? I'm not taking creatine (which may help but is not necessary) unless this is proved false.

[Whuditdew]

any response to this??? as a 21 yr old man who isnt balding, but is predisposed to it w a bald father, im not looking to increase my chances of this anymore than i have to... get back to me. thank you. i am currently taking the $20 creatine from ALN.

I'm in the same boat. Is there any other evidence on this? Has anyone stepped up and refuted it?

[Skalami]

i'll give you two things; one the study i got was kind of limited study. TWO: From personal experience... at the end of 08 i started (or at least thats when i noticed it) thinning in the front, having the front hairs turn weak and die off. I got more serious into lifting since then started taking creatine for awhile and did not notice any more thinning of my hair and when i stopped the creatine i didnt notice any more growth.

But i will say that i dont think DHT itself needs to be found in creatine, if it does raise DHT its the affect that the creatine is having on the body. DHT is somewhat anabolic isnt it? The body will produce more testosterone if you start eating more food, maybe something that the creatine does that helps you lift more and recover better also raises DHT.

[Astreocclu]

I dont think this study is nessicarly true. I hope it isnt atleast, as i am 16 and already starting to thin and bald...

[jp2]

not buying it......