Influence of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Androgens and Global Hair Assessments
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examining the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on androgens and hair loss in free-living adult males. Participants will complete 6 months of supplementation of 5 grams per day of creatine monohydrate while following their normal lifestyle practices. At baseline and six months after study initiation, participants will complete laboratory assessments. These assessments will include a standard blood draw for evaluation of total testosterone (T), free T, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and DHT:T ratios in the blood, as well as global photography and questionnaires to evaluate hair loss. This study will examine the claim that creatine increases DHT concentrations and and DHT:T ratio, as well as provide novel data regarding whether creatine promotes hair loss.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Creatine Monohydrate
|
Dietary Supplement: Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation
Participants in the creatine monohydrate supplementation arm will consume 5 grams per day of creatine monohydrate.
|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo
|
Dietary Supplement: Placebo Supplementation
Participants in the placebo supplementation arm will consume 5 grams per day of maltodextrin placebo.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Dihydrotestosterone [6 months]
Blood concentration of dihydrotestosterone.
- Dihydrotestosterone-to-Testosterone Ratio 1 [6 months]
Ratio of dihydrotestosterone to total testosterone in the blood.
- Dihydrotestosterone-to-Testosterone Ratio 2 [6 months]
Ratio of dihydrotestosterone to free testosterone in the blood.
- Total Testosterone [6 months]
Total testosterone in the blood.
- Free Testosterone [6 months]
Free testosterone in the blood.
- Global Hair Assessments [6 months]
Subjectively scored assessment of changes in hair properties from baseline to the end of the intervention. Assessor will be a blinded expert.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Self-Reported Hair Assessments [6 months]
Survey allowing for participant-reported changes in hair properties as a result of the intervention.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Male between the ages of 18 and 35
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Weight of at least 110 pounds
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Generally healthy (defined as an absence of a disease or medical condition which could potentially be negatively influenced by study participation or confound study results)
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Low levels of habitual creatine consumption, defined as consuming an average of <10 g/week of creatine from all supplemental sources within the three months prior to study initiation
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Willingness to report to baseline and final assessments with a similar haircut (i.e. willingness to replicate baseline haircut prior final assessment, to the best of his ability) and one that allows for evaluation of hair growth patterns (e.g., not a completely shaved head that disallows visualization of the hairline)
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Willingness to adhere to the supplementation protocol for the duration of the study (i.e., 6 months of daily supplementation with 5 grams per day of creatine monohydrate or placebo) and abstain from additional creatine supplement ingestion during this time.
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Willingness to abstain from any treatments related to hair loss or hair growth for the duration of the study
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Willingness to maintain normal practices regarding hair products (i.e. continue to use regular shampoo, conditioner, and other products over the duration of the study and abstain from switching products during the study if at all possible)
Exclusion Criteria:
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Failing to meet any of the aforementioned inclusion criteria
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Presence of pacemaker or any electrical device (due to electrical currents administered by bioimpedance devices used to assess body composition)
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Individual currently participates in any type of hair loss treatment or procedure or has undergone any such treatment or procedure within the last 12 months
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management | Lubbock | Texas | United States | 79409 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Texas Tech University
- Legion Athletics, Inc
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Grant M Tinsley, PhD, Texas Tech University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- Ashique K, Kaliyadan F. Clinical photography for trichology practice: tips and tricks. Int J Trichology. 2011 Jan;3(1):7-13. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.82118.
- Bang HJ, Yang YJ, Lho DS, Lee WY, Sim WY, Chung BC. Comparative studies on level of androgens in hair and plasma with premature male-pattern baldness. J Dermatol Sci. 2004 Feb;34(1):11-6.
- Gupta M, Mysore V. Classifications of Patterned Hair Loss: A Review. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2016 Jan-Mar;9(1):3-12. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.178536. Review.
- Kaufman KD. Androgens and alopecia. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2002 Dec 30;198(1-2):89-95. Review.
- Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, Ziegenfuss TN, Wildman R, Collins R, Candow DG, Kleiner SM, Almada AL, Lopez HL. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017 Jun 13;14:18. doi: 10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z. eCollection 2017. Review.
- Norwood OT. Male pattern baldness: classification and incidence. South Med J. 1975 Nov;68(11):1359-65.
- Olsen EA, Whiting DA, Savin R, Rodgers A, Johnson-Levonas AO, Round E, Rotonda J, Kaufman KD; Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group. Global photographic assessment of men aged 18 to 60 years with male pattern hair loss receiving finasteride 1 mg or placebo. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Sep;67(3):379-86. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.10.027. Epub 2012 Feb 9.
- Trüeb RM. Molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia. Exp Gerontol. 2002 Aug-Sep;37(8-9):981-90. Review.
- 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 Sep;19(5):399-404. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0b013e3181b8b52f.
- Van Neste MD. Assessment of hair loss: clinical relevance of hair growth evaluation methods. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002 Jul;27(5):358-65. Review.
- 2019-997