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For people interested in deeper, more restful sleep.
Physician-prescribed · San Francisco telehealth
Sermorelin Therapy in San Francisco
Sermorelin is a peptide that signals your pituitary gland to release your own growth hormone. Learn how it works, how it compares with HGH and whether it may fit your goals, starting with a free telehealth consult.
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First step
Free consult by telehealth
Prescribed by
Board-certified M.D.
How it's used
Small injection at bedtime
Delivered
Shipped to your home
The basics
What is sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a lab-made version of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), a signal your brain uses to tell your pituitary gland to release growth hormone.
Growth hormone plays a role in sleep, muscle, bone, metabolism and how your body repairs itself. Its release naturally declines as we age, and most of it is released in pulses during deep sleep.
Sermorelin was once sold as an FDA-approved brand-name drug for children with growth hormone deficiency. That product was discontinued by its manufacturer, and today sermorelin is prepared by compounding pharmacies for individual patients.
How sermorelin works
- It sends a signal. Sermorelin binds to GHRH receptors on your pituitary gland.
- Your body responds. The pituitary releases its own growth hormone in natural pulses.
- Your brakes stay on. Your body's normal feedback system still controls how much is released.
Sermorelin is one of several options in our peptide therapy program.
Common reasons
Why people ask about sermorelin
Here are the goals patients most often bring up. Researchers continue to study growth hormone support in these areas, and individual results vary.
Body composition
For people working on lean muscle and body fat alongside exercise.
Recovery
For active people who want to support training and recovery.
Energy
For people who feel their energy has dipped with age.
Healthy aging
For people thinking long term about how they age.
An alternative to HGH
For people who want to support their own growth hormone rather than take it directly.
What researchers have looked at
Sermorelin was studied and approved for children with growth hormone deficiency. In adults, studies have found that GHRH and its analogs can raise growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, and researchers have looked at effects on sleep, body composition and aging. Research in healthy adults is ongoing.
Poor sleep or low energy? These can have medical causes, such as thyroid problems, anemia or sleep apnea. Tell us about it at your consult so it can be looked at properly.
Your options
Sermorelin vs. HGH vs. over-the-counter boosters
People looking into growth hormone usually come across three options. Here is how they compare.
What we offer
Sermorelin
What it is
A signal that prompts your pituitary to release its own growth hormone
How it's given
A small injection under the skin, usually at bedtime
Body's controls
Your normal feedback system stays in place
Oversight
Prescribed for you by a physician
Prescription hormone
HGH (growth hormone)
What it is
Growth hormone itself, given directly
How it's given
An injection
Body's controls
Bypasses your pituitary's own signals
Keep in mind
Prescribed only for specific diagnosed conditions, such as growth hormone deficiency
Over the counter
HGH booster supplements
What it is
Pills or powders, often amino acid blends
How it's given
By mouth
Body's controls
Not a prescription medication
Keep in mind
Sold as supplements, and quality and claims vary
What to expect
How sermorelin therapy works at TruSpine
- 01
Book your free consult
Choose a time online. Your telehealth consult has no cost and no obligation.
- 02
Meet with Dr. Supreet Shah
By telehealth, you go over your goals and whether sermorelin may fit. Then you complete a short intake with your health history and medications.
- 03
Physician review
Dr. Crystal Broussard, M.D. reviews your intake, orders labs only if needed, and decides whether sermorelin is appropriate.
- 04
Delivered to your door
If prescribed, sermorelin ships to your home from a pharmacy. Dr. Broussard provides instructions for your dose and schedule.
Your care team
You meet with Dr. Shah. A board-certified M.D. prescribes.
Your free telehealth consult is with Dr. Supreet Shah. Because sermorelin requires a prescription, a physician makes the medical decision.
Step 1: your free consult
Dr. Supreet Shah
DC, MS, CCSP · TruSpine clinic director
You meet with Dr. Shah by video to talk through your goals and whether sermorelin may fit. He then sends you a short health intake.
Step 2: physician review
Dr. Crystal Broussard
M.D. · Board certified in internal medicine
Dr. Broussard reviews your intake, decides whether sermorelin is appropriate, and handles any prescription, dose and follow-up. She does not take bookings directly. She is licensed in all 50 states.
About Dr. Broussard →Safety
Is sermorelin right for you?
Tell your physician if you
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive
- Have now or have had cancer
- Have a thyroid condition
- Take prescription medications, including steroids or thyroid medication
- Have had an allergic reaction to a medication
Possible side effects
The most commonly reported is redness, swelling or discomfort at the injection site. Others include headache, flushing, dizziness and nausea.
Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, chest pain or a severe reaction.
About compounded sermorelin
Sermorelin is compounded for individual patients by prescription. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Your physician will explain what that means before you decide.
Be careful buying sermorelin online. Products sold without a medical review give you no way to verify what you are getting.
FAQs
Sermorelin questions, answered
What is sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a lab-made peptide based on the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), a hormone your brain makes naturally. It signals your pituitary gland to release your own growth hormone.
How do I get started with sermorelin at TruSpine?
Book a free telehealth consult with Dr. Supreet Shah. After your consult you complete a short intake, and Dr. Crystal Broussard, M.D. reviews it and decides whether sermorelin is appropriate for you.
Is sermorelin the same as HGH?
No. HGH is growth hormone itself. Sermorelin is a signal that prompts your pituitary gland to release its own growth hormone, so your body's normal feedback controls stay in place.
Is sermorelin FDA-approved?
Sermorelin was once sold as an FDA-approved brand-name drug for children with growth hormone deficiency. That product was discontinued by its manufacturer, and today sermorelin is available as a compounded medication, which is not FDA-approved. Dr. Broussard will explain what that means before you decide.
Do I need a prescription for sermorelin?
Yes. Sermorelin is a prescription medication. Be cautious of websites that sell it without a medical review, because you have no way to verify what you are getting.
When should I take sermorelin?
It is usually injected under the skin at bedtime, because your body releases the most growth hormone during deep sleep. Dr. Broussard sets your dose and schedule.
Can I give myself sermorelin injections at home?
Yes, if it is prescribed for you. Sermorelin is a small injection under the skin, and Dr. Broussard provides instructions for doing it at home.
How long does it take to notice a difference?
It varies. Some people say they notice changes in sleep within a few weeks, while changes in body composition, if they happen, usually take longer. Dr. Broussard will help you decide when to reassess.
What are the side effects of sermorelin?
The most commonly reported are redness, swelling or discomfort at the injection site. Others include headache, flushing, dizziness and nausea. Allergic reactions are rare. Tell your provider about anything unusual.
Will I need lab work?
Only if needed. Dr. Broussard may ask for labs, such as a growth hormone marker called IGF-1, if they would help her make a safe decision or track how you are doing.
Does sermorelin help with weight loss?
Sermorelin is not a weight loss medication. People sometimes ask about it for body composition, alongside exercise and good sleep. If weight is your main goal, see our medical weight loss program.
What is the difference between sermorelin and ipamorelin?
Both are used to support your own growth hormone release, but they work on different receptors. Sermorelin acts on the GHRH receptor, the same pathway as your natural growth hormone-releasing hormone.
Can women take sermorelin?
Yes. Sermorelin is used by both men and women. It is not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
How much does sermorelin cost?
It depends on your dose and schedule. We will go over the exact cost during your free consult, before you decide anything. Insurance usually does not cover sermorelin.
Who should not use sermorelin?
It is not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your physician if you have now or have had cancer, if you have a thyroid condition, or if you take prescription medications, including steroids or thyroid medication.
This page is for general information and is not medical advice. Prescriptions are issued only when a physician determines they are appropriate. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Individual results vary.
Curious whether sermorelin is right for you?
Book a free telehealth consult. There is no cost and no obligation, and you can do it from home.