What is tesamorelin?
A growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. It acts on the GHRH receptor at the pituitary, prompting release of the body's own growth hormone.
This is the same principle behind ipamorelin, approached through a different receptor. GHRH analogues like tesamorelin push from one direction; growth hormone secretagogues like ipamorelin release the brake from another. That is why the two are combined.
Tesamorelin is notable in this library for being the one growth hormone peptide with an approved pharmaceutical form, licensed for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, meaning it has been through full trials and has an established safety profile in that population.
Reported benefits
- Increased muscle mass
- Improved sleep
- Improved cognition
- Increased bone density
- Improved skin tone and elasticity
- Growth hormone support
- Increased sex drive
- Wound healing
Tesamorelin is also specifically noted for visceral fat reduction, which is the indication its approved form was licensed for.
Side effects
- Redness, swelling or itching at the injection site, temporary
- Slight, temporary water weight gain as cells retain water, which reverses quickly after stopping
Growth hormone affects glucose metabolism, so monitor blood sugar if you are diabetic or insulin resistant. Raising IGF-1 matters for anyone with a cancer history, since IGF-1 promotes cell growth. Both warrant a physician's involvement.
Do your own research.
Combining with ipamorelin
The two are frequently used together, and Dawn's own blend documentation describes the combination as offering front-to-back, two-way growth hormone stimulation. Her phrase for the result: "Boss mode: these two peptides together, 1+1=4."
See the ipamorelin page for the blend dosing.
Sourcing and quality
Peptides sold outside compounding pharmacies are labelled "Not For Human Consumption and For Research Use Only." Always ask for batch-specific third-party testing. If it is not available, go elsewhere.
VIGEO Health does not sell injectable peptides. Third-party vendors can be recommended on request: email dawn@vigeohealth.net.
Competitive athletes: growth hormone releasing peptides are prohibited by WADA. Check the current list.
Test your foundations first
Growth hormone tells tissue to build. Building consumes zinc, magnesium and the cofactors that drive protein synthesis and bone formation.
Sleep is the other input. These peptides work with your natural sleep-linked growth hormone pulse, so they do considerably less for someone sleeping five broken hours a night. Fix the sleep first and the peptide has something to work with.
See what the OligoScan measures
What this page does not tell you
- Research chemical tesamorelin is not the approved pharmaceutical product, which is licensed for HIV-associated lipodystrophy and manufactured to pharmaceutical standards.
- IGF-1 elevation is not neutral for everyone. Anyone with a cancer history should discuss this with their oncologist.
- Growth hormone affects glucose metabolism, relevant to diabetics and anyone insulin resistant.
- Not appropriate in pregnancy.
- Prohibited in tested sport.
- Long-term data outside the approved indication is limited.
References and further reading
- Clinical literature on tesamorelin and GHRH analogues.
- Trial data in HIV-associated lipodystrophy and visceral adipose tissue reduction.
- VIGEO Health Medical Disclaimer
Related
Questions and Answers
Q: How is tesamorelin dosed? A: 1 mg once or twice daily, given subcutaneously, which is 15 ticks on an insulin syringe. A 2 mg vial is reconstituted with 30 ticks and provides 2 doses. Timing is early morning and/or before bedtime on an empty stomach, five times a week for up to three months.
Q: What is tesamorelin? A: A growth hormone releasing hormone analogue. It acts on the GHRH receptor at the pituitary, prompting release of the body's own growth hormone rather than supplying hormone from outside. It is the one growth hormone peptide in common use that also exists as an approved pharmaceutical, licensed for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Q: Why is tesamorelin taken on an empty stomach? A: Because food, particularly carbohydrate, blunts growth hormone release. Taking it in the early morning or before bed on an empty stomach works with the body's natural growth hormone rhythm rather than against it.
Q: Can tesamorelin be combined with ipamorelin? A: Yes, and it is a common pairing. The two act on different receptors, offering what Dawn describes as front-to-back, two-way growth hormone stimulation. Tesamorelin acts on the GHRH receptor while ipamorelin acts on the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.