Side-by-side · Research reference
SermorelinvsTB-500
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 3Reviewed14/43 cited
BPhase 2Reviewed8/46 cited
Sermorelin
GHRH 1-29 fragment · Short-acting
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1×/day
TB-500
Thymosin β4 fragment · Healing
SQ or IM · Multiple sites · 2–3×/week
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Sermorelin
TB-500
Primary target
Pituitary GHRH receptorWalker 1994
G-actin (sequestering) + cell-surface integrinsGoldstein 2012
Pathway
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisWalker 1994
Actin remodelling → cell migration; integrin-linked signaling → angiogenesis; anti-inflammatory cytokine modulationGoldstein 2012Malinda 1999
Downstream effect
Pulsatile GH release; subsequent IGF-1 elevationMolteno 2013
Accelerated wound healing, endothelial migration, hair follicle regeneration, cardiac repair (preclinical)Goldstein 2012
Feedback intact?
Yes — short pulse preserves feedback
Endogenous protein at baseline; supplementation amplifies
Origin
Unmodified active 29-AA fragment of human GHRH (1-44)Walker 1994
17-AA active fragment of endogenous 43-AA thymosin β4 (TMSB4X gene)Goldstein 2012
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Sermorelin
TB-500
Standard dose
100–500 mcg per injectionMolteno 2013
2 mg per injectionGoldstein 2012
Anecdotal community range; clinical Phase 2 trials used 70–840 mcg/kg IV.
Frequency
Once daily, pre-sleep
2× per week (loading); then 1× per week (maintenance)
Lower / starter dose
100 mcg per dose
1 mg per injection
Evidence basis
Phase 3 (Geref pediatric); clinical practiceWalker 1994Molteno 2013
Animal-strong + Phase 2 dermal/ocular trialsGoldstein 2012
Duration
8–12 weeks per cycle
4–8 weeks loading; longer maintenance for chronic injury
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water
Bacteriostatic water, 1–2 mL per 5 mg vial
Timing
Pre-sleep, fasted preferred
Evening or pre-rest preferred (anecdotal)
Half-life
~12 min (plasma)Molteno 2013
Shorter than tesamorelin (~26 min) — simpler GHRH analogue.
~2 hours (estimated; tissue uptake longer)
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Sermorelin
TB-500
Injection site reaction
Mild erythema, transient pain
Mild erythema, transient pain
Flushing / headache
Common transient effect
—
IGF-1 elevation
Modest at standard doses
—
Cancer risk
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
Theoretical via angiogenesis pathway
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Avoid
Glucose handling
Generally neutral
—
GI symptoms
—
Rare nausea (anecdotal)
Lethargy / fatigue
—
Reported anecdotally during loading phase
Antibody formation
—
No data (no long-term human trials)
Long-term safety
—
Unknown beyond Phase 2
Absolute Contraindications
Sermorelin
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
TB-500
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical angiogenesis concern)
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
Sermorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
TB-500
- ·Cancer history
- ·Concurrent VEGF inhibitor therapy
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Sermorelin
TB-500
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.
Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5–5 mg/mL. Roll gently.
2. Injection site
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
SQ near injury site (preferred), or systemic SQ (abdomen). Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep, fasted.
Evening or pre-sleep is most common anecdotal timing.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate, ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
27–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
Sermorelin
+ Ipamorelin
StrongSermorelin (GHRH analogue) and ipamorelin (selective GHRP) form the prototypical GHRH+GHRP dual-axis stack at the lowest cost. Both peak within 30 min and produce a sharp physiological GH pulse without cortisol/prolactin elevation.
- Sermorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
- Primary benefit
- Pulsatile GH stimulation, recovery, body composition
TB-500
+ BPC-157
StrongTB-500 and BPC-157 cover complementary halves of tissue repair: BPC-157 upregulates VEGFR2-driven angiogenesis and fibroblast outgrowth; TB-500 sequesters G-actin to enable endothelial / epithelial migration. The anecdotal canonical "healing stack" — pairs especially well for tendon and ligament injuries.
- TB-500
- 2 mg SQ · 2× per week
- BPC-157
- 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
- Primary benefit
- Combined angiogenesis + cell migration for tendon/ligament/muscle repair