Sermorelin and GHK-Cu for Anti-Aging/Regenerative Therapy
Direct Answer
The provided evidence does not support the use of Sermorelin or GHK-Cu for anti-aging or regenerative therapy in patients without documented growth hormone deficiency. The available guidelines and research exclusively address Sermorelin for diagnostic testing and treatment of confirmed growth hormone deficiency in children, not for anti-aging purposes in adults with normal GH levels.
Evidence-Based Analysis
Sermorelin: Approved Indications Only
Sermorelin is indicated solely for diagnosis and treatment of documented growth hormone deficiency in children, not for anti-aging or wellness applications.
- Sermorelin (a 29 amino acid GHRH analogue) is used diagnostically as a provocative test at 1 mcg/kg IV to assess GH secretion capacity 1
- For treatment of confirmed pediatric GH deficiency, subcutaneous Sermorelin 30 mcg/kg at bedtime has shown efficacy in increasing height velocity over 12-36 months 1
- The evidence base consists entirely of pediatric populations with documented idiopathic growth hormone deficiency—no data supports use in adults seeking anti-aging benefits 1
Growth Hormone Therapy: Strict Criteria Required
Growth hormone replacement in adults requires documented GH deficiency confirmed by stimulation testing, not subjective symptoms or aging-related concerns.
- Adult GH deficiency must be confirmed via insulin tolerance test (ITT) or GHRH plus arginine testing—random GH measurements cannot distinguish deficiency from normal states 2
- When GH deficiency is confirmed in adults, replacement dosing should not exceed 1.0 IU/m²/day (approximately 1.5-2.0 IU/day) for patients 40-60 years old, starting at 1.0 IU/day and increasing by 0.5 IU monthly 3
- GH therapy in adults carries metabolic risks: all studies measuring insulin levels reported increases in serum insulin, with many showing rises in fasting glucose, and some cases of new-onset impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes 4
Critical Safety Concerns
Growth hormone administration worsens insulin resistance rather than improving it, potentially increasing cardiovascular risk rather than providing anti-aging benefits.
- GH treatment may worsen insulin resistance in hypopituitarism rather than improve it, contradicting the rationale for cardiovascular benefit 4
- Even minor reductions in insulin sensitivity from GH therapy may be associated with clinically significant increases in cardiovascular risk 4
- In pediatric populations with confirmed GH deficiency, several deaths occurred within 6 months of initiating GH therapy, though causality remains unclear 5
GHK-Cu: No Clinical Evidence
No guideline or research evidence was provided regarding GHK-Cu (copper-glycine-histidine-lysine) for any clinical indication. The evidence base consists entirely of growth factors in wound healing contexts (PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, FGF-2) but does not address GHK-Cu specifically 5.
Clinical Recommendation
Do not prescribe Sermorelin or GHK-Cu for anti-aging or regenerative purposes in patients without confirmed growth hormone deficiency.
- If a patient presents seeking these therapies, perform proper diagnostic evaluation: obtain IGF-1 levels and consider formal GH stimulation testing if clinical suspicion for true GH deficiency exists 2
- Counsel patients that off-label use for anti-aging lacks evidence and carries metabolic risks including insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and potential cardiovascular harm 4
- For patients with confirmed adult-onset GH deficiency, refer to endocrinology for appropriate replacement therapy with careful dose titration and monitoring of IGF-1 levels, glucose metabolism, and cardiovascular parameters 3, 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not use subjective symptoms (fatigue, decreased muscle mass, weight gain) as justification for GH therapy without objective testing 2
- Do not assume GH therapy improves cardiovascular risk—evidence suggests it may worsen insulin resistance and metabolic parameters 4
- Do not prescribe based on direct-to-consumer marketing or patient requests without documented deficiency 1, 2