Ipamorelin, a synthetic injectable peptide, prompts the body to release its own growth hormone and is used for hoped-for benefits to muscle, fat, sleep and healthy aging. These rest on animal studies and related drugs; the one controlled human trial, after bowel surgery, showed no clear benefit. Risks include higher blood sugar, low potassium, fluid retention and a long-term cancer question. Plausible but unproven. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| IGF-1 | Age- and sex-specific laboratory range | Expected to rise; safety check |
| Fasting glucose | 70–99 mg/dL | Safety check: a rise reduces or stops use |
| HbA1c | 4.0–5.6% | Safety check: a rise reduces or stops use |
| Potassium | 3.5–5.0 mmol/L | Safety check: low values pause use |
| PSA (men) | Age-specific laboratory range | Safety check: a rise stops use pending evaluation |
| Lean mass | No established target; track change from own baseline | Expected to change |
Cadence: Baseline panel before starting; retest at 4–8 weeks, at the end of each 8–12-week cycle, then every 6 months during continued use; body-composition scan at baseline and after 6 months. No trial defines this schedule; it follows common practice.