Tesamorelin
Also referred to as: TH9507, GRF analog
A lab-made copy of a natural hormone that tells the body to release growth hormone. One of the better-studied peptides in its group.
In plain terms: Tesamorelin is a lab-made version of a natural signal your body uses to tell the brain's pituitary gland to release growth hormone. It is one of the more thoroughly studied peptides of its kind and has been tested in people for a specific medical purpose.
- Name
- Tesamorelin
- Aliases
- TH9507, GRF analog
- Classification
- GHRH analog (peptide)
- Areas studied
- GHRH signaling, Growth-hormone axis, Metabolic research
What it is
Tesamorelin is a lab-made copy of a natural body signal called growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). GHRH's job is to tell the pituitary — a small gland at the base of the brain — to release growth hormone. Tesamorelin is a more stable version of that signal, used to study how this system works.
It is one of the better-studied peptides in this group, having been tested in human clinical research for a specific, regulated medical use.
Mechanism
Tesamorelin plugs into the GHRH docking point on pituitary cells. Switching on this signal prompts the pituitary to make and release growth hormone in natural pulses. Small tweaks to its structure are designed to make it last longer than the natural signal.
Growth hormone then drives the body to make a related molecule called IGF-1, so this whole growth-hormone-to-IGF-1 chain is the system researchers focus on.
Areas studied & investigated
The categories below summarize where Tesamorelin appears in the research literature. They describe what the compound is studied for and investigated in — not approved uses, and not guidance for any kind of use.
Growth-hormone signal
Studied as a stable version of the natural signal that triggers growth-hormone release.
Growth hormone & IGF-1
Looked at for its effects on growth-hormone release and the downstream IGF-1 it drives.
Metabolism
Studied in metabolic situations connected to growth-hormone activity.
Peptide stability
A go-to example of how a peptide's structure can be changed to make it last longer.
Research history
Tesamorelin was developed as a longer-lasting version of the natural GHRH signal and tested in clinical trials, which led to approved use for a specific medical purpose. It comes up often in research on how this signal works.
State of the literature
Tesamorelin has peer-reviewed human research within its approved use and is widely referenced in growth-hormone research. Use outside that approved purpose is not established.
What to keep in mind
Tesamorelin's human data comes from one specific, supervised medical use — not from the general "boost growth hormone" framing you may see online. Evidence gathered for one carefully studied purpose does not automatically apply to other uses. When you read about it, check whether a claim comes from that actual clinical research or from someone extending it well past what was studied.
Research tools
Evaluating a Tesamorelin batch for laboratory research? These free, research-use-only calculators help you work the numbers and read the paperwork: the reconstitution calculator solves vial concentration and draw volume, and the COA reader walks a certificate line by line. For how much and how often Tesamorelin is commonly used, see the dosing guides.
Batch-tested with published COAs
See a published COA for Tesamorelin
Midwest Compounds sells Tesamorelin with a batch-linked certificate of analysis from an independent lab, published before you buy. This page is educational; purchasing happens on the store.
Citations
The summary above is drawn from published, peer-reviewed sources. Links open the abstract on PubMed, or the free full text on PubMed Central (PMC) where marked.
- Falutz J, et al. Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2010. Abstract
- Stanley TL, et al. Effects of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients. JAMA, 2014. Abstract