Growth Hormone Peptides; A Comparative Review

Growth hormone peptides are gaining attention in alternative areas such as being used for anti-ageing treatments, boosting performance, and addressing specific health issues.

Tesamorelin, Sermorelin, and Ipamorelin are the more popular growth hormone peptides; despite being similar, each one offers its own set of advantages and considerations. We’re breaking down the difference and simplifying all the important information.

How Growth Hormone Peptides Work

Growth hormones are important for metabolism, maintaining body composition, and helping cells repair themselves. As people grow older, the natural production of growth hormone declines, leading to increased body fat, reduced muscle mass, and other ageing effects. These peptides help by triggering the body to produce its own growth hormone in various ways.

How They Work

Tesamorelin, made up of 44 amino acids, is a lab-made version of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It triggers the pituitary gland to make and release growth hormone. Its longer structure helps it stay stable in the body and bind more effectively to GHRH receptors than natural GHRH does.

Sermorelin is a peptide made of 29 amino acids identical to the first 29 in natural GHRH. It works by attaching to GHRH receptors in the pituitary gland. This leads to the release of the body’s own growth hormone while preserving the natural pattern of hormone release.

Ipamorelin is made up of five amino acids forming a pentapeptide, and works as a selective agonist targeting the ghrelin or growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). It differs from other GH secretagogues because it triggers the release of growth hormone. It does not influence hormones like ACTH or cortisol.

Growth Hormone Peptides At a Glance:

Clinical Benefits: Insights from Research

Tesamorelin

The FDA has approved Tesamorelin to treat visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in people dealing with HIV-related lipodystrophy. Studies have shown it works for this purpose.

Clinical studies observed a 15-20% drop in visceral fat.
In HIV-related research, 72% of participants showed better lipid profiles.
Metabolic studies found liver fat content reduced by 40%.
Insulin sensitivity improved while inflammatory markers decreased.
Long-term research showed fat reduction lasting up to 52 weeks.

FDA-reviewed studies demonstrated that tesamorelin led to meaningful waist circumference reductions compared to placebo. The studies reported an absolute change of -1.8 cm in one trial and -1.3 cm in another.

Sermorelin

Although the FDA has not approved sermorelin for treating specific conditions, clinical research suggests it may yield positive outcomes.

Sleep quality improves, and recovery metrics get better
Lean body mass increases while body fat percentage decreases
Skin gains elasticity, and collagen production improves
Wound healing speeds up, and energy levels rise

The research by Khorram and colleagues studied adults aged 55 to 71 years. They found that sermorelin therapy over 16 weeks improved GH levels and lean body mass, with men gaining 1.26 kg of lean mass. Body fat and testosterone levels remained unchanged.

Ipamorelin

Studies on Ipamorelin reveal specific advantages:

Stimulates GH without altering other pituitary hormones
Improves gut movement and digestive function
Improves body composition
Fewer side effects than most GH secretagogues

Side Effects and Safety in Focus

Tesamorelin

reported side effects include:

Redness, pain, or irritation may appear at the injection site.
People may experience muscle pain.
Fluid retention or swelling can sometimes occur.
There is a risk of glucose intolerance. FDA data suggest that those taking tesamorelin have about three times higher odds of developing diabetes.
IGF-1 levels might rise, raising cancer risks in people who are more prone to it.

Sermorelin

Often seen as having a safer profile:

Mild redness or irritation at the injection area.
Some users get occasional headaches.
Dizziness or flushing is possible for a few.
Lower risk of reduced effectiveness over time compared to direct GH.
Built-in feedback systems reduce the likelihood of GH overdose.

Research in Clinical Interventions in Ageing indicates that sermorelin acts via natural feedback with somatostatin, making overdosing quite challenging or even impossible.

Ipamorelin

It is linked with a few side effects, such as:

Minor reactions at the injection site
Some water retention at times
Occasional headaches or dizziness
tolerable in medical studies
Causes fewer problems than other growth hormone secretagogues

Ipamorelin’s ability to trigger GH release without disrupting other pituitary hormones might explain why its side effects are less common.

FDA Status and Practical Notes

Tesamorelin is the only peptide in this group with FDA approval to reduce visceral fat tied to HIV-related lipodystrophy. While clinical trials have proven that it works, the approval limits its official use to this particular medical issue. Monthly treatment costs range from £1,500 to £2,500.

Sermorelin was previously FDA-approved for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency, but it is no longer marketed for treatment, even though doctors can privately still prescribe it for other unapproved uses.

Ipamorelin does not have FDA approval for any use. It can still be obtained with a prescription through compounding pharmacies. People often pair it with other peptides to enhance the combined effects.

How to Decide Which Peptide Fits You Best

Picking the right peptide depends on your goals and health needs.

Tesamorelin works best to reduce belly fat in a targeted way in people with a lot of abdominal fat. It shows the strongest proof of helping metabolism, though it tends to be more expensive.
Sermorelin provides a well-rounded option to boost general anti-ageing better sleep, and steady growth hormone support. It acts more like the body’s natural GHRH and helps keep normal hormonal feedback working all at a lower price.
Ipamorelin suits people who are prone to side effects or need a precise growth hormone boost without changes to other hormones. It might also help with digestion adding extra benefits for some users.

Conclusion

Growth hormone peptides show great potential in personalised medicine. They provide targeted methods to address health issues tied to ageing and metabolism. Research is still ongoing, but experts believe these peptides offer real benefits when prescribed and monitored by medical professionals.

Talk to a qualified healthcare expert before starting peptide therapy.

References:

Tesamorelin: a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy – PubMed

Efficacy and safety of tesamorelin in people with HIV on integrase inhibitors – PubMed

Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial – PubMed

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33756511/

Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue – PubMed

Efficacy of ipamorelin, a ghrelin mimetic, on gastric dysmotility in a rodent model of postoperative ileus – PubMed

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers – PubMed

Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males – PubMed

Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term administration of [Nle27]growth hormone-releasing hormone-(1-29)-NH2 in age-advanced men and women – PubMed

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-(1-29) twice daily reverses the decreased GH and insulin-like growth factor-I levels in old men – PubMed

Which SARM is the best for muscle gain?

It can be difficult to determine which SARMs are best for lean muscle building because different body types respond differently to them. Almost all SARMs boost muscle gain, but some have a stronger effect than others.

Top-tier SARMs for muscle gain include:

Test RAD-140
Ibutamoren MK-677
Ostarine MK-2866

Compared to some other brands, they also offer really good performance. RAD-140, Ostarine, and MK-677 are well-known for boosting muscle growth explosively and making gaining muscle much easier.

If you want to gain a lot of muscle quickly, consider using one of the above SARMs.

Do SARMs have side effects?

SARMs’ side effects are generally fewer and less serious than those of anabolic steroids. Still, using SARMs supplement products does have a small risk of complications.

Some side effects that have been reported include:

Diarrhoea
Headaches
Hypertension
Heart disease
Aggression
Acne

It is important to remember that the severity and presence of a side effect will likely depend on both dosage and the specific SARM taken.

Why should I use SARMs?

Burning fat
Bulking or cutting
Improving performance
Decreased recovery time
Building lean body mass
Increasing bone density

What are SARMs?

SARMs, or selective androgen receptor modulators, are relatively new drugs that attach to your body’s androgen receptors, triggering changes in your DNA, which in turn increases your muscles’ ability to grow. Unlike steroids, they target specific types of tissues and don’t come with side effects like breast growth in males.

They combat muscle loss caused by age, osteoporosis, disease, and building muscle and bone. Due to their ability to improve strength with fewer side effects than steroids, dietary supplement brands have started selling them to athletes.

Because they’re anabolic agents that enhance performance, SARMs are on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances.

What should I consider before I buy SARMs in the UK?

Before you buy SARMs in the UK, it’s important to consider factors such as product purity, third-party testing, and supplier transparency. UK SARMs is committed to providing high-quality research compounds with clear labelling and lab reports available. Always ensure you’re purchasing from a trusted source that complies with UK regulations.