Sermorelin: A Comprehensive Overview

June 25, 2024

4 min

Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide that helps stimulate the production and release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland. Sermorelin is mostly known for its use in helping children who fail to grow normally by increasing the amount of growth hormone in their bodies.

As men age, they may experience a decline in growth hormone production, leading to symptoms such as decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, reduced bone density, and decreased exercise capacity. Sermorelin therapy is a promising solution for improving symptoms of GH decline.

Sermorelin was developed in the 1970s to address conditions related to hormone deficiencies. It received FDA approval in 1997 for treating growth hormone deficiency in children. Today, it’s also frequently used for age-related hormone insufficiency, helping balance levels of human growth hormones. 

How Does Sermorelin Work?

Sermorelin works by attaching to special receptors on cells in the pituitary gland. This attachment triggers signals inside the cells that tell the gland to release more growth hormone into the bloodstream. This helps to boost the body's natural production of growth hormone and improve symptoms caused by low levels of this hormone.

While other hormones — such as synthetic growth hormone — are directly administered to the body, sermorelin works differently by stimulating the pituitary gland to naturally produce more growth hormone. This approach aims to mimic the body's own hormone production process, potentially offering a more balanced and controlled method of increasing growth hormone levels.

After undergoing sermorelin therapy, patients usually experience higher energy levels and improved mood. Within three to six months, patients report improvements in their body, including increased muscle mass, enhanced skin tone, and overall better health.

Sermorelin typically stays in the body for a short duration after administration. It has a half-life of about 10-20 minutes, meaning it is quickly metabolized and eliminated from the body.

Medical Uses of Sermorelin

Approved uses 

Sermorelin's primary FDA-approved uses are for treating growth hormone deficiencies in children and adults. Sermorelin can be prescribed to adults who develop growth hormone deficiency due to:

• Pituitary tumors

• Radiation therapy

• Traumatic brain injury

Off-label uses

Sermorelin also has off-label uses. Off-label uses include:

• Anti-aging

• Weight loss

• Athletic performance

Administration and Dosage

While oral sermorelin therapy is a method of administering the growth hormone releasing peptide, some components get lost during the digestive process. Sublingual troches offer a practical alternative. They dissolve under the tongue, enabling sermorelin to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This approach bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and prevents the peptide from being weakened. Side effects of sublingual troches may include mouth irritation, sore throat, or unpleasant taste.

Sermorelin can also be injected into body fat using a small needle. Sermorelin injections are similar to those used to inject insulin. If you are injecting sermorelin yourself, carefully follow the instructions provided by your doctor. 

The dosage of sermorelin depends on the person. It’s important not to change the dosage you are prescribed by your doctor. Prescriptions are typically injected daily at first. It’s best to use a different place on the body for each injection. (For example, abdomen, hip, thigh, or upper arm.)

Taking sermorelin at night has yielded the best results because the largest pulse of growth hormone is produced at night, mimicking the body's natural release of growth hormone.

Factors influencing dosage

Age: Age influences how much growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) the body naturally produces. Younger men typically require lower doses compared to older men because natural GHRH production declines with age.

Health conditions: Certain health conditions — such as obesity, pituitary disorders, diabetes, and underactive thyroid — can impact the body's ability to produce or respond to growth hormone. Individuals with these conditions may require adjustments in dosage to achieve better results.

Medical history: Past medical history, including any surgeries or chronic illnesses, can influence how sermorelin is tolerated and metabolized by the body. A clear understanding of medical history helps in determining the initial dosage and any necessary adjustments during treatment. 

Blood tests: Before initiating sermorelin therapy, healthcare providers often conduct blood tests to measure baseline growth hormone levels. These tests help determine the starting dosage and monitor the response to treatment over time.

Response to treatment: Each person's response to sermorelin can vary. Some individuals may require higher or lower doses based on how their body responds to the treatment, which may be assessed through follow-up blood tests and clinical evaluations. Goals of therapy: The intended goals of therapy — such as increasing muscle mass, reducing fat, or improving energy levels — also play a role in determining the appropriate dosage. Higher doses may be needed for more significant therapeutic effects.

Benefits of Sermorelin Therapy

After sermorelin treatment, men may expect to see improvements in several areas related to their health and well-being. Some of the potential benefits include:

• Increased lean muscle mass: Sermorelin can stimulate the production of growth hormone, which in turn promotes muscle growth and repair. 

• Reduced body fat: Growth hormone helps to mobilize and metabolize fat stores in the body. This can result in a leaner appearance and improved body composition.

• Improved energy levels: Many individuals report increased energy and vitality following sermorelin treatment. This can lead to improvements in stamina, endurance, and overall physical performance.

• Better sleep quality: Growth hormone is known to play a role in regulating sleep patterns. Improved sleep quality is often reported by individuals undergoing sermorelin treatment, which can have a positive impact on overall health and well-being.

• Enhanced mood and mental clarity: Growth hormone can have a positive effect on mood and cognitive function. Many individuals report feeling more focused, alert, and mentally sharp during and after treatment.

• Improved skin and hair health: Growth hormone contributes to the production of collagen and other proteins essential for skin and hair health. As a result, individuals may notice improvements in skin elasticity and texture, as well as hair thickness.

• Better immune function: Growth hormone supports a healthy immune system, which can help individuals better resist infections and illnesses.

While sermorelin has been shown to be a safer option than other growth hormone injections, it may still have some potential side effects. Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site have been shown to occur — as well as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and flushing. 

These side effects tend to lessen as the body adjusts to the treatment. However, if they persist or worsen, be sure to seek medical attention.

Sermorelin vs. Other Growth Hormone Therapies

While synthetic GH therapies directly provide exogenous GH to the body, sermorelin stimulates the body's own production of GH by targeting the pituitary gland. 

Since sermorelin encourages the pituitary gland to release GH naturally, it may mimic the body's physiological patterns of GH release more closely than synthetic GH.

Sermorelin is regulated differently than synthetic GH because it is not a direct hormone replacement therapy. It's often considered safer due to its indirect action on GH production.

Compared to synthetic GH, sermorelin has fewer side effects. Synthetic GH may cause more immediate side effects due to the direct introduction of hormones into the body, whereas sermorelin's side effects are generally related to its injection site or allergic reactions.

Cost considerations

• Expense: Synthetic GH is usually more expensive than sermorelin because it involves the production of a biologically identical hormone through recombinant DNA technology.

• Insurance coverage: Insurance coverage can vary, but synthetic GH is often covered for conditions like growth hormone deficiency, whereas sermorelin may have less consistent coverage or may be considered an off-label use in some cases.

Patient preference and compliance

• Preference: Some patients prefer sermorelin because it supports the body's natural GH production, potentially minimizing the risk of long-term dependency on exogenous hormone supplementation.

• Compliance: Compliance with sermorelin therapy can be affected by its administration (daily injections) and the need for consistent monitoring of GH levels. Synthetic GH therapy may offer simpler dosing schedules (weekly injections) that some patients find easier to adhere to.

How Do I Know If I Qualify for a Sermorelin Prescription?

Typically, to qualify for sermorelin therapy, hormone deficiency must be documented through blood tests. Sermorelin is not available over the counter; it can only be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. 

Following your blood tests, you should also inform your healthcare provider about any pre-existing medical conditions, especially conditions related to hormone regulation or diabetes.

When considering sermorelin therapy, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider. 

Fortunately, RexMD has got you covered.

With the Rex MD TestoRx program, you’ll have access to medications like sermorelin under a licensed healthcare professional’s guidance.

To find out if the program is right for you, just answer a few questions about your symptoms and medical history. Your provider will order lab work for you to determine if you’re eligible for treatment with sermorelin or other hormone support during your scheduled appointment.

You’ll then be able to schedule an appointment with the Rex MD care team.