The Claim
Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation at a dose of 25 g/day for 7 days followed by 5 g/day for 14 days increases serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 56% after loading and maintains a 40% elevation above baseline after maintenance, while serum testosterone remains unchanged, resulting in a 22% sustained increase in the DHT-to-testosterone ratio in healthy college-aged male rugby players.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In healthy college-aged male rugby players, a specific regimen of creatine monohydrate supplementation raises serum dihydrotestosterone levels by 56% after an initial loading phase and maintains a 40% increase during maintenance, while serum testosterone levels do not change, leading to a 22% sustained increase in the DHT-to-testosterone ratio.
See the scientific wording
Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation at a dose of 25 g/day for 7 days followed by 5 g/day for 14 days increases serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 56% after loading and maintains a 40% elevation above baseline after maintenance, while serum testosterone remains unchanged, resulting in a 22% sustained increase in the DHT-to-testosterone ratio in healthy college-aged male rugby players.
Creatine causes the body to convert more testosterone into a stronger hormone called dihydrotestosterone by activating an enzyme that performs this conversion, while leaving the amount of testosterone unchanged, which raises the ratio of the stronger hormone to the weaker one.
What the research says
1 studyThis study found that young male athletes who took creatine supplements for three weeks had a 40% increase in a stronger form of testosterone called DHT, while their regular testosterone stayed the same—making the ratio of strong to weak hormone go up by 22%. So yes, creatine did what the claim says.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.