What is Sermorelin (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone, GHRH)?

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From the Research

Sermorelin is a well-tolerated analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that can be used to diagnose and treat growth hormone deficiency in children and adults, with a typical dosage of 100-300 mcg injected subcutaneously daily.

Uses and Benefits

  • Sermorelin stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland, which can help improve growth and development in children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency 1.
  • In adults, sermorelin can be used to address growth hormone deficiency, improve body composition, enhance recovery from exercise, and potentially slow certain aspects of aging 2, 3.
  • Sermorelin works with the body's natural regulatory system, potentially offering a more physiological approach with fewer side effects than direct growth hormone administration.

Diagnosis and Treatment

  • The diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in adults typically involves stimulation testing, such as the insulin tolerance test or the growth hormone-releasing hormone-arginine test 2, 4.
  • Sermorelin can be used as a diagnostic tool to assess growth hormone deficiency, with a peak growth hormone level below a predetermined cutpoint indicating deficiency 1.
  • Treatment with sermorelin typically involves daily subcutaneous injections, with regular monitoring of IGF-1 levels and other health parameters to assess efficacy and safety 5, 3.

Safety and Side Effects

  • Sermorelin is generally well-tolerated, with mild side effects including injection site reactions, headache, flushing, dizziness, and nausea 1, 3.
  • Regular monitoring of IGF-1 levels and other health parameters is recommended during treatment to minimize the risk of adverse effects 2, 5.
  • Sermorelin should only be used under medical supervision, as inappropriate use can lead to health complications 1, 3.

References

Research

Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.

BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy, 1999

Research

Current concepts of the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency.

Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders, 2021

Research

Diagnosing growth hormone deficiency in adults.

International journal of endocrinology, 2012

Research

Growth hormone deficiency: an update.

Minerva endocrinologica, 2013

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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