Dark Yellow Urine

Q.

What does creatine do for women?

A.

Creatine helps women increase strength and power, build lean muscle, recover faster, and may support bone density and cognitive function by boosting phosphocreatine stores for quicker ATP regeneration. It’s generally safe for most healthy women at 3–5 g/day of creatine monohydrate, but there are several factors to consider—hydration, loading vs. maintenance, mild side effects, and when to avoid or talk to a clinician (kidney/liver disease, pregnancy, certain meds); see complete guidance and next steps below.

Q.

Does creatine cause hair loss?

A.

There are several factors to consider: current evidence does not show a direct link, though one small study found DHT rose during a high‑dose loading phase in young men, and no trials have measured actual hair thinning. Genetics, dose (loading vs 3–5 g/day), and other common causes of shedding often matter more; if concerned, monitor your hair and talk with a clinician. See the complete answer below for key nuances, practical dosing tips, and when to seek care that could affect your next steps.

Q.

Does creatine cause weight gain?

A.

Yes—there are several factors to consider. Creatine often causes a small, early weight increase (about 1–2 kg) from water moving into muscles; with training, later increases are usually from added lean muscle rather than fat, and weight typically stabilizes on maintenance dosing. Important safety and strategy details (hydration, skipping the loading phase, and when to avoid use—e.g., kidney/liver disease or certain meds) are covered below.

Q.

How does creatine work medically?

A.

Creatine works as an energy buffer: in muscle, brain, and heart the phosphocreatine–creatine kinase system rapidly regenerates ATP for short, high‑intensity demands and supports cellular hydration; its breakdown product, creatinine, is also used to assess kidney function and is a component of liver prognosis scores like MELD. Supplementation can boost strength and lean mass and is generally safe at standard doses, but those with kidney issues, on certain medications, or who are pregnant/breastfeeding should be cautious and may need monitoring. There are several factors to consider—dosing, timing, side effects, and when to talk to a doctor—see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Q.

How much reatine should i take?

A.

For healthy adults using creatine monohydrate, either load with 20 g/day (4 x 5 g) for 5–7 days then maintain 3–5 g/day, or skip loading and take 3–5 g/day from the start—timing is flexible, daily consistency matters most. There are several factors to consider (hydration, mild GI effects, and medical considerations like kidney/liver disease, certain meds, and youth); see the complete details below and consult a clinician if you have conditions or plan higher doses.

Q.

Is Creatine bad for you?

A.

For most healthy adults, creatine isn’t bad when used as creatine monohydrate at recommended doses; decades of studies find it safe and effective, with benefits for strength and recovery and no kidney harm in healthy users. There are several factors to consider—mild water-weight gain or stomach upset can occur, and people with kidney or liver disease, diabetes, those who are pregnant, or anyone under 18 should be cautious and talk to a clinician. See dosing, hydration, product quality, and when to seek care in the complete guidance below.

Q.

Should I tell my doctor if I'm on creatine?

A.

Yes—always tell your doctor if you use creatine: while generally safe for healthy adults, it can raise creatinine on labs (mimicking kidney issues), interact with meds like NSAIDs/diuretics, and may warrant kidney/liver monitoring or tailored dosing, especially with underlying conditions or in pregnancy, breastfeeding, or youth. There are several factors to consider, and key details to share (product, dose, duration, other meds, symptoms) could change your next steps—see below for what to discuss with your clinician and when to seek care.

Q.

What does alkaline phosphatase low usually mean?

A.

Low alkaline phosphatase means your level is below the lab’s reference range and is most often tied to nutrition or absorption issues (low protein, zinc, magnesium, B12), hypothyroidism, chronic liver disease, or rarer conditions like hypophosphatasia or Wilson’s disease; most cases are mild and reversible. There are several factors to consider—see below for detailed causes, red-flag symptoms (bone pain or fractures, jaundice, neurologic changes), and clear next steps such as repeating the test, checking related labs, reviewing diet/medications, and when to see a clinician.