Source comparison
Tesamorelin Comparison: GH Secretagogues vs Direct GH
Action Stimulates pituitary GH release via GHRH receptor binding Stimulates pituitary GH and ghrelin signalling Direct exogenous GH replacement Tesamorelin preserves endogenous feedback loops; somatropin shuts them down Visceral Fat Reduction 15–18% over 26 we
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- Action
- Stimulates pituitary GH release via GHRH receptor binding
- Stimulates pituitary GH and ghrelin signalling
- Direct exogenous GH replacement
- Tesamorelin preserves endogenous feedback loops; somatropin shuts them down
- Visceral Fat Reduction
- 15–18% over 26 weeks (CT-measured)
- 5–8% over 26 weeks (indirect, variable)
- 10–12% over 26 weeks
- Tesamorelin shows strongest selectivity for trunk fat vs subcutaneous
- Glucose Impact
- Transient elevation 1st month, normalizes by week 8
- Sustained 10–15 mg/dL fasting glucose increase
- Significant insulin resistance risk with chronic use
- Tesamorelin's glucose effect is temporary; MK-677 and GH carry persistent risk
- Legal Status
- FDA-approved for lipodystrophy; off-label for obesity
- Research compound, not FDA-approved
- Prescription-only, tightly regulated
- Tesamorelin is the only GHRH analogue with regulatory approval
- Cost (Monthly)
- $400–$600 compounded
- $80–$150 research supply
- $1,200–$2,000 prescription
- Compounded tesamorelin offers best cost-to-efficacy ratio for visceral fat
- Administration
- Daily subcutaneous injection, requires reconstitution
- Oral capsule daily
- Daily subcutaneous injection
- Tesamorelin requires cold storage; MK-677 is shelf-stable but less effective