Growth Hormone

The Growth Hormone category encompasses direct administration of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and synthetic GH fragments that act directly on GH receptors. This is pharmacologically distinct from Category 5 (GH secretagogues): rather than stimulating the pituitary, these compounds bypass the endocrine axis entirely and deliver GH activity to peripheral receptors in liver, muscle, adipose tissue, and bone. The difference matters clinically, direct GH exerts broader, less regulated effects than physiologically pulsed endogenous GH produced in response to secretagogue stimulation.

Recombinant hGH binds the GH receptor (a class I cytokine receptor) on hepatocytes to drive IGF-1 production, on myocytes to promote protein synthesis, and on adipocytes to stimulate lipolysis. In children with GH deficiency, it drives linear growth through cartilage and bone receptor activation. AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of the GH C-terminus (amino acids 176–191) that has been engineered to retain the lipolytic domain while omitting the IGF-1-stimulating and growth-promoting sequences. This makes AOD-9604 potentially useful for targeted fat loss without the full anabolic/mitogenic effects of rhGH.

Recombinant hGH (Genotropin, Norditropin, Humatrope, Nutropin, Omnitrope, and others) is FDA-approved for adult and pediatric GH deficiency, Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, idiopathic short stature, and HIV-associated wasting. Off-label use for anti-aging, athletic performance, or body composition optimization is not FDA-approved and is specifically prohibited from compounding (rhGH is a Schedule III controlled substance). AOD-9604 completed Phase II trials for obesity and was not approved; it is available through compounding in the US.

For approved GH deficiency indications, the evidence base is robust with decades of large clinical trials. Evidence for anti-aging and longevity applications in non-GH-deficient adults is largely extrapolated from the GHD treatment literature, a significant interpretive leap. Small longevity trials (e.g., TRIIM trial using rhGH + metformin + DHEA) are suggestive but underpowered for definitive conclusions. AOD-9604's Phase II obesity data was not sufficient for FDA approval, but mechanistic and small-trial evidence for focal adipose reduction is credible.

Internal links go to compound monograph pages in the Peptide Association database. External links go to Peptide Desk Reference.

• Recombinant hGH (rhGH)External
• AOD-9604Awaiting FDA decision

• Adult growth hormone deficiency (diagnosed, verified by stimulation test)
• Pediatric growth disorders (GHD, Turner, Prader-Willi, SGA, idiopathic short stature)
• HIV-associated wasting syndrome
• Post-surgical and catabolic state management
• Targeted visceral and subcutaneous fat reduction (AOD-9604, investigational)

1. 01

   rhGH is a Schedule III controlled substance, off-label prescribing faces significant legal and regulatory scrutiny

2. 02

   Documented GH deficiency (ITT or glucagon stimulation testing) is the appropriate threshold for clinical use

3. 03

   IGF-1 monitoring and fasting glucose tracking are required: GH causes insulin resistance at supraphysiological doses

4. 04

   Long-term rhGH in non-GH-deficient adults carries theoretical cancer promotion risk through IGF-1 elevation

5. 05

   AOD-9604 avoids IGF-1 stimulation, making it a more targeted option for patients whose primary goal is adipose tissue reduction

• 01Metabolic GLP-AxisIncretin and amylin mimetics targeting appetite, insulin, and body weight
• 05GH SecretagoguesGHRH analogs and ghrelin mimetics that stimulate pituitary GH release
• 11Visceral & MetabolicTargeted visceral adiposity reduction via GH-axis and NNMT pathway modulation