Creatine Users Have Higher DHT Levels

✔ Evidence-Based. Scientifically Reviewed by Michael Sharpe, MSc.

Creatine boosts muscle levels of the androgenic testosterone metabolite DHT, according to sports scientists at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

An experiment conducted with 20 rugby players, with an average age of 19. For three weeks, one-half of them took a placebo.

Creatine and glucose were administered to the remaining half. The purpose of the glucose was to enhance the muscle cells' ability to absorb creatine.

For the first week, the test subjects in the experimental group consumed 25 g of creatine and 25 g of glucose per day.

They consumed 25 g of glucose and 5 g of creatine per day in weeks 2 and 3.

DHT Increased

Their fat percentage fell by a tiny amount, while their lean body mass increased marginally. DHT levels in the blood are higher among creatine users.

• The amount of DHT increased by 56% by the end of the first week after taking 25 grams of creatine daily.

• Their DHT level decreased but remained elevated in the weeks that followed when they took less creatine.

• The blood testosterone levels of the test individuals remained stable.

The scientists believe that 5-alpha-reductase activity is increased by creatine supplements somewhere in the body. The specific location of this conversion of testosterone into DHT is unknown to researchers.

The researchers are also unsure of whether the athletes' altered metabolisms cause them to add additional muscle mass. They speculate that this may be the situation.

DHT is 4 times more physiologically powerful than testosterone, according to biochemical tests of androgen receptor affinity.

Endocrine alterations might have a role in some of the muscle gain experienced by creatine users, as frequently documented by sports scientists.

Creatine supplementation has been shown to increase levels of DHT in the blood by around 56%.

References

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This evidence-based analysis of creatine and DHT features 1 reference, listed below.

1. van der Merwe J, Brooks NE, Myburgh KH. Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players. Clin J Sport Med. (2009) (Randomised Controlled Trial)

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