Growth Hormone Axis
Sermorelin
The original GHRH-fragment peptide, formerly FDA-approved for children, now compounded to restore more youthful GH pulses in adults.
Overview
Sermorelin is the first 29 amino acids of human growth hormone-releasing hormone — the shortest fragment that keeps full biological activity. It stimulates the pituitary to release its own growth hormone, so GH output stays pulsatile and subject to the body's normal feedback controls. It was FDA-approved for children with growth hormone deficiency until the manufacturer stopped production in 2008 for business reasons. Today it is prescribed off-label, through compounding pharmacies, to adults with age-related GH decline. Its very short half-life makes it gentler but less potent than newer analogs. Small studies in older adults show higher IGF-1 but only modest changes in lean mass, skin and well-being.
- Classification
- Synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide — the shortest fully active fragment of human GHRH
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Half-life
- ~10–20 minutes (SC)
Mechanism of action
- Binds GHRH receptorActivates the same receptor as natural GHRH on pituitary cells.
- GH synthesis and releaseStimulates GH gene transcription and release of stored hormone.
- Feedback preservedSomatostatin and IGF-1 feedback still limit excessive GH output.
- IGF-1 increasesLiver converts the GH signal into higher circulating IGF-1.
- Anabolic tissue effectsIGF-1 supports protein synthesis, lipolysis and tissue repair.
- Restored GH pulsatility
- Higher IGF-1
- Modest lean mass gain
- Improved sleep (reported)
Researched for
- Pediatric growth hormone deficiency (formerly approved)
- Diagnostic testing of pituitary GH reserve
- Age-related GH decline
- Body composition in older adults
Research notes
- Pediatric GHD trials showed improved growth velocity, supporting its 1990s approval.
- Small RCTs in older adults (e.g., Khorram 1997; Vittone 1997) raised GH/IGF-1, with modest lean-mass and well-being changes.
- Very short half-life (~10–20 min) limits potency compared with longer-acting analogs.
- No large modern trials in adults; long-term outcome and safety data are limited.
Reported side effects
- Injection-site pain, redness or swelling
- Facial flushing
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Mild water retention
Contraindications & cautions
- Active malignancy
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Untreated hypothyroidism (blunts response)
- Hypersensitivity to sermorelin
Lab monitoring
- IGF-1
- Fasting glucose and HbA1c
- Thyroid panel (TSH, free T4)
- Lipid panel
- CBC and CMP
Dosing and pricing for Sermorelin
Dosing references and compound pricing are available to established patients in the secure portal after a medical evaluation.
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