Human Growth Hormone (HGH) vs Tesamorelin
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Human Growth Hormone (somatropin) is a 191-amino acid protein identical to naturally produced GH. FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, and other conditions. Widely used off-label for anti-aging and performance.
Full details →Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It is FDA-approved under the brand name Egrifta for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Human Growth Hormone (HGH) | Tesamorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 200 mcg–2 mg | 2 mg |
| Frequency | 1x daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 12–24 weeks | 8–52 weeks |
| Route | subcutaneous | subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Binds to GH receptors throughout the body, stimulating IGF-1 production in the liver. Promotes protein synthesis, fat metabolism, and cellular regeneration across multiple tissues. | Stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone by binding to GHRH receptors. Increases IGF-1 levels which promotes lipolysis and reduces visceral adipose tissue. |
| Typical Dosage | Medical: 0.1-0.3mg/kg/week divided into daily doses. Anti-aging: 1-2 IU daily. Performance: 2-6 IU daily, sometimes higher. | FDA-approved dose: 2mg administered subcutaneously once daily. Research protocols may use various dosing schedules. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection, preferably at night to mimic natural pulsatile release. Rotate injection sites. Store refrigerated. | Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen. Rotate injection sites. Best administered at the same time daily, preferably in the evening. |
| Side Effects | Joint pain, water retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, potential insulin resistance, and acromegaly features with long-term high doses. | Common side effects include injection site reactions (erythema, pruritus), joint pain, peripheral edema, and muscle pain. May cause elevated blood glucose. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Tesamorelin are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Human Growth Hormone (HGH):
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
- Muscle Growth: Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has stronger research support.
| Goal | Human Growth Hormone (HGH) | Tesamorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Growth | high | medium |
| Fat Loss | high | high |
Key Studies
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
- Transgenic Artifacts Caused by Passenger Human Growth Hormone.
Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM, 2018
- [Human growth hormone and Turner syndrome].
Anales de pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003), 2017
- Significance of the disulphide bonds of human growth hormone.
Endokrynologia Polska, 2013
Tesamorelin
- Tesamorelin as an Adjunct to Exercise for Improving Physical Function in HIV (TRIUMPH): a clinical trial protocol.
BMJ open, 2026
- Effects of Tesamorelin on Neurocognitive Impairment in Persons With HIV and Abdominal Obesity.
The Journal of infectious diseases, 2025
- Efficacy and safety of tesamorelin in people with HIV on integrase inhibitors.
AIDS (London, England), 2024
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