With the recent controversy about steroids and similar performance enhancing drugs, people have been asking the question: does creatine help pass a drug test? The short answer to this is no. Creatine is one of the least likely sports supplements to be banned by the FDA, but it can still be banned in certain situations where its use by athletes is suspected.
Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. In fact, you might have heard that your body produces its own energy, called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), from the food you eat. This is the source of the extra energy you may “outgrow” after a workout session. The problem with creatine is that the human body can’t produce the much needed amount of ATP on its own. You may hear that some body builders take 500 grams of creatine a day or that body builders “train like maniacs” and their bodies respond by producing enormous amounts of ATP (which they then store in their muscles).
This is where the FDA steps in and decides whether or not a product is safe and appropriate for use. It will then decide whether or not the product should be allowed to enter into the market. One example of where this has been considered recently is an over the counter dietary supplement called Creatin. In June 2021, the FDA notified the company that it would be banning the product due to the fact that it was known to be falsely representing the amount of ATP it contained when consumers purchased the product.
So now you’ve learned the creatine doesn’t pass a drug test, what’s next? Obviously, your first step is to contact a qualified trainer and see what they think the best plan of action is. Also, if you’re going to take the supplement, make sure you know the correct dose for your body weight. This is especially important if you’re taking it as a boost for your exercise routine.
For those that are just beginning an intense weight lifting routine, and want to start large muscle groups, a good idea may be to take a little bit more Creatine. Don’t go overboard, however. To find out whether or not the supplement is doing its job, you may want to try some more experiments. If you’re not comfortable with the thought of creating your own experiment, you can find the answer by asking a friend or colleague. Keep in mind, however, that you should never experiment on a woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant, or take it without first consulting a doctor.
For people that were offered Creatine and found it didn’t do what they expected, the real question is whether or not they should discontinue using it. There are a number of reasons why this may be necessary: your body is producing too much, you hit a plateau, or perhaps your body just doesn’t feel right. As with any type of drug test, there really isn’t a sure way to say whether or not Creatine will pass a drug test. It’s best to keep an open mind and look at different options to see which one works best for you.
