Best Time to Take Sermorelin
The optimal time to take Sermorelin (GHRH analogue) is at bedtime or in the evening, as this schedule better mimics the natural physiological pattern of growth hormone secretion which occurs primarily during slow-wave sleep.
Physiological Basis for Evening Administration
Growth hormone (GH) naturally follows a circadian rhythm with its major surge occurring during the early phases of sleep. This physiological pattern provides the foundation for timing Sermorelin administration:
- Evening administration (around bedtime) better imitates the natural diurnal pattern of GH secretion 1
- Studies show that GH availability, measured as area under the curve (AUC), is significantly greater after evening injections compared to morning injections 2
- Evening administration produces hormone and metabolite patterns that more closely resemble normal physiological relationships 2
Evidence Supporting Evening Administration
Research specifically examining Sermorelin administration indicates:
- Limited clinical data supports once-daily subcutaneous Sermorelin (30 μg/kg bodyweight) administered at bedtime for treating prepubertal children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency 3
- Intranasal GHRH administration before bedtime has been shown to influence sleep patterns, particularly increasing REM sleep and slow-wave sleep during the second half of the night 4
Considerations for Administration Time
While evening administration is generally preferred, there are some important considerations:
- A randomized crossover trial of growth hormone (not specifically Sermorelin) found that sleep-wake patterns and activity index were not significantly affected by morning versus evening administration schedules 1
- Some patients may find evening injections inconvenient or disruptive to their sleep routine
- The effectiveness of Sermorelin may be limited compared to direct GH therapy regardless of administration time 5
Practical Recommendations
For optimal results with Sermorelin:
- Administer at a consistent time each evening, preferably 30 minutes before bedtime
- Follow the prescribed dosage (typically 30 μg/kg bodyweight for therapeutic use)
- Be aware that while timing is important, Sermorelin's effectiveness may be less than direct GH therapy for some conditions 5
- Monitor response through appropriate clinical and laboratory parameters
Important Caveats
- Sermorelin is primarily used for diagnostic purposes (as a provocative test for GH deficiency) and has limited therapeutic applications compared to direct GH therapy
- The effectiveness of Sermorelin therapy depends on having functional pituitary tissue that can respond to GHRH stimulation
- Patients with pituitary (rather than hypothalamic) causes of GH deficiency may not respond adequately to Sermorelin regardless of administration timing
In conclusion, while both morning and evening administration can be effective, the evidence supports evening administration as the preferred time for Sermorelin to best mimic natural GH secretion patterns and potentially optimize therapeutic outcomes.