What Is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a medication that can stimulate the release of growth hormone – a growth hormone secretagogue similar to ipamorelin, ibutamoren or MK-677. It is designed to mimic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) [1, 2]. GHRH is a peptide crucial for growth and development, as it controls the release of human growth hormone (hGH) from the pituitary gland into the bloodstream [1]. HGH plays a vital role in maintaining healthy tissues and organs throughout life, and any imbalance in its levels can lead to health problems in children and adults [1].
Sermorelin has been licensed in longevity medicine since it can counteract the age-related decline in pituitary function [2]. In contrast to injecting recombinant growth hormone, as is commonly used in children with growth hormone deficiencies, sermorelin can harness the body’s pituitary gland to produce more HGH. This makes sermorelin safe in adults, limiting the amount of hGH that can be released in response to sermorelin. However, stimulating endogenous hGH release in children has not been sufficient to counteract slowed growth [3]. Hence, information published on Healthline indicating Sermorelin is used for child hGH deficiency is now outdated [1, 3]. Furthermore, sermorelin can be used off-label in adults and children, giving it an advantage over recombinant growth hormones for treating hGH deficiency.
Testosterone: A Crash Course
Understanding how and where testosterone is released is also critical to understanding whether Adderall can lower testosterone.
Testosterone is released from the Leydig cells in the testicles based on signals from the hypothalamus through two hormones: gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) [4].
Testosterone levels are usually highest in the morning and during sexual intercourse [5]. However, regular sexual intercourse throughout a short period will sensitize your hormonal system to the impulse, so less testosterone will be released in subsequent sexual events.
Does Sermorelin Increase Testosterone?
Sermorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue used primarily to diagnose and treat poor growth in children and sometimes in adults with human growth hormone (hGH) deficiency [1].
There is preliminary evidence in animal models that sermorelin can increase endogenous testosterone release by stimulating LH and FSH hormones [6]. Indeed, LH and FSH levels were increased in children with hGH deficiencies after being treated with Sermorelin [6].
To discuss a bit more about the interaction between sermorelin and testosterone, let us have a look at hypogonadism, a condition that reduces the release of hormones from the gondal organs, also known as sex organs.
Hypogonadism, Sermorelin and Testosterone
GHRH drugs, including Sermorelin, have been used to treat hypogonadal men. In the present study, men were already taking testosterone replacement therapy but were also given Sermorelin to increase body mass. This study tracked testosterone over time and found that hGH therapy doubles testosterone levels in men over a 9-month period. These findings indicate that increasing hGH levels through Sermorelin can increase testosterone levels [7]. It also shows that testosterone medication can be safely combined with Sermorelin.
Another study discussed the use of hGH secretagogues, such as mk-677, ibutamoren and sermorelin, in treating hypogonadism, which is at present most frequently treated by testosterone supplementation [8]
Risks of Increased Testosterone Levels
Increased levels of testosterone can be risky for several reasons, highlighting the importance of abstaining from growth hormone secretagogues or androgens like testosterone unless they have been prescribed for a medical condition.
Risks of high testosterone include:
- Sleep apnoea, a severe sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts [9].
- Skin reactions, including acne [9].
- Reduced sperm production [9, 10].
- Testicle shrinkage [9].
- Breast enlargement in men, also known as gynecomastia [9].
- Increased risk of heart disease [9, 11].
- Urinary problems, particularly in men with pre-existing conditions [10].
- Edema, or water retention, can also be a risk, particularly in individuals with heart, liver, or kidney problems [10].
- Liver problems, heart disease, and high cholesterol, especially if your testosterone is high in the long term [10].
- Increase in haemoglobin and haematocrit and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [12].
Summary: Sermorelin Increases Testosterone
To summarise, sermorelin has been shown to increase testosterone levels, most likely through increasing levels of LH and FSH. Sermorelin and testosterone have also been safely combined in treating hypogonadism, demonstrating that these therapies do not have high side effects. Despite this, taking Sermorelin is only advised if it is prescribed by your healthcare practitioner, particularly because increasing levels of HGH and testosterone above your body’s natural levels can have serious side effects.