CS, thoughts? Creatine Study

Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine
Issue: Volume 19(5), September 2009, pg. 399-404

Three Weeks of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation Affects Dihydrotestosterone to Testosterone Ratio in College-Aged Rugby Players

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated resting concentrations of selected androgens after 3 weeks of creatine supplementation in male rugby players. It was hypothesized that the ratio of dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a biologically more active androgen) to testosterone (T) would change with creatine supplementation.

Design: Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study with a 6-week washout period.

Setting: Rugby Institute in South Africa.

Participants: College-aged rugby players (n = 20) volunteered for the study, which took place during the competitive season.

Interventions: Subjects loaded with creatine (25 g/day creatine with 25 g/day glucose) or placebo (50 g/day glucose) for 7 days followed by 14 days of maintenance (5 g/day creatine with 25 g/day glucose or 30 g/day glucose placebo).

Main Outcome Measures: Serum T and DHT were measured and ratio calculated at baseline and after 7 days and 21 days of creatine supplementation (or placebo). Body composition measurements were taken at each time point.

Results: After 7 days of creatine loading, or a further 14 days of creatine maintenance dose, serum T levels did not change. However, levels of DHT increased by 56% after 7 days of creatine loading and remained 40% above baseline after 14 days maintenance (P < 0.001). The ratio of DHT:T also increased by 36% after 7 days creatine supplementation and remained elevated by 22% after the maintenance dose (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Creatine supplementation may, in part, act through an increased rate of conversion of T to DHT. Further investigation is warranted as a result of the high frequency of individuals using creatine supplementation and the long-term safety of alterations in circulating androgen composition.

Statement of Clinical Relevance: Although creatine is a widely used ergogenic aid, the mechanisms of action are incompletely understood, particularly in relation to dihydrotestosterone, and therefore the long-term clinical safety cannot be guaranteed.

RyanBraun - Thanks for the post, very interesting.

I checked to see if this was a placebo study, which it was, but wonder if there was a control group in which half of the subjects would use only the 25 of glucose to see if that was a contributing factor to the DHT/T ratio.

Even though this is a short study, 14 post Creatine/Glucose, it's compelling. I'll have to find out more about the design of this study, if I find out anything will post back.

CS- thank you for your reply.

Yes, it seems somewhat of an incomplete study but interesting nonetheless. I was intrigued because I have used creatine supplements on and off for several years.

I'd also be interested to know whether designer creatines (kre-alkalyn, different malates, etc) yield similar results.

This was cross-posted from a different forum; if I see any updates over there I will post.


RB

This is an old post I know...

Has there been any further updates on this research?

Thanks.

Bumping this thread up. I am fixing to start on creatine for my first time and trying to figure out if I should avoid it or if there have been more studies showing that it negatively impacts hair.

The creatine DHT factor does not cause hair loss. Measured in the serum has an inverse correction to hair loss. No worries.

Creatine isn't bad for hair loss?! Wow.

I dropped creatine on advice from this forum but, I may get back on it now because I'm sure I've been missing out on some gains and if I'm going to end up bald eventually, I need to have the physique to back it up

SonofOdin wrote:I dropped creatine on advice from this forum but, I may get back on it now because I'm sure I've been missing out on some gains and if I'm going to end up bald eventually, I need to have the physique to back it up

be careful, honestly it might not be worth it for you to take it. people who dealing with post fin side effects.. some report amazing effects from creatine in bouncing their libido back, although not permanently, while others experience some devasting side effects and worsening of side effects from it.. you can search around propeciahelp.com for more of what i mean

Thanks Sanderson. It turns out I've been consuming 1-2g of it 4x a week already due to my preworkout, but not a proper dosage to load my body with it. I might research more into it if I can mentally prepare myself, but I'm afraid of entering that site because I might psych myself into some sides. My strategy is to avoid propeciahelp, until I actually do need help, which I hope never occurs.

The thing about finasteride is that it is an endocrine disruptor, whatever residual damage is a bit unpredictable. And the treatments to help recover seem different. That being said, hCG is worth a shot for those who want a new lease on life.

I have never heard of HCG. What does that do exactly?

A slight side shift in topic, but I am giving Resveratrol and Luecine stack a trial. I read some studies on this stack and it seems legit.