If you're like many people exploring peptide-based treatments, you may be excited to begin sermorelin therapy to improve energy, metabolism, or sleep. But even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make simple mistakes that reduce effectiveness. Perhaps you skip doses when you start to feel better, or neglect follow-up labs that could help your provider adjust your dosage more effectively. These slip-ups are common, but they can hinder your long-term results.

At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we specialize in advanced wellness therapies, including sermorelin, to help your body perform at its best naturally. Whether you're starting therapy for anti-aging benefits, hormone support, or recovery, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. In this article, we break down the top mistakes to avoid when starting sermorelin therapy and what you can do instead to ensure optimal, lasting results.

Starting therapy without lab testing

Before beginning sermorelin therapy, it’s essential to undergo a comprehensive evaluation, including blood work to assess hormone levels. Skipping this step is a critical error that can result in improper dosing or starting a therapy that’s not right for you.

Lab testing helps determine your baseline levels of growth hormone, IGF-1, thyroid function, and other key markers. These metrics guide your provider in prescribing a dose that’s tailored to your unique needs. At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we always begin sermorelin therapy with lab-based diagnostics to ensure both safety and effectiveness.

Expecting overnight results

Sermorelin works by stimulating your pituitary gland to naturally increase growth hormone production over time. Unlike synthetic HGH, which provides immediate but artificial spikes, sermorelin promotes gradual, sustainable changes. One of the most common mistakes is assuming you’ll see dramatic results within the first week.

Real benefits, such as improved energy, better sleep, enhanced recovery, and fat loss, typically emerge after several weeks to a few months of consistent therapy. Managing your expectations helps you stay committed and recognize progress as it unfolds gradually.

Skipping doses or being inconsistent

Sermorelin must be taken consistently to maintain its effects on the body’s growth hormone production. Missing sermorelin doses or frequently changing your injection schedule can significantly diminish the benefits.

For optimal results, sermorelin is often administered nightly since it mimics your body’s natural growth hormone rhythm. Skipping hormone therapy doses disrupts this pattern and can stall your progress. At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we’ll walk you through how and when to administer your injections to keep your therapy on track.

Not following injection guidelines

Improper injection technique, such as using the wrong needle size, injecting into the wrong area, or failing to rotate injection sites, can reduce absorption and cause discomfort.

Sermorelin is typically given as a subcutaneous injection, which means it goes into the fatty layer under your skin (often the abdomen or thigh). We train all our patients on proper injection methods to maximize absorption and comfort while minimizing side effects.

Ignoring lifestyle factors

Relying on sermorelin alone while neglecting core lifestyle habits is another major pitfall. Growth hormone secretion is influenced by sleep quality, exercise, nutrition, and stress. If these aren’t in check, sermorelin can only do so much.

To truly benefit from therapy, it is essential to support your body with good sleep hygiene, regular strength training, a nutrient-dense diet, and stress-reducing practices. Your lifestyle is the foundation, and sermorelin simply enhances it.

Failing to monitor progress

Once you begin therapy, your hormone levels and response to treatment may change over time. If you’re not monitoring progress through regular check-ins and follow-up labs, you risk continuing on a suboptimal dose or missing the signs that it’s time to adjust your plan.

At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we provide ongoing support, including lab reviews and provider consultations, to ensure your sermorelin therapy stays customized to your goals and biology.

How to optimize your sermorelin therapy results

Understanding what not to do is just the beginning. To get the most from your therapy, you also need to adopt habits that help your body respond fully to treatment.

• Follow a consistent injection schedule: Administer your sermorelin at the same time each night, typically before bed. This aligns with your body’s natural circadian rhythm and release of growth hormone to maximize therapeutic effects.
  
• Prioritize high-quality sleep: Growth hormone is primarily released during deep sleep. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted rest per night, and create a sleep-friendly environment (dark, cool, quiet) to support your natural hormone rhythms.
  
• Fuel your body with the right nutrition: A diet high in lean proteins, healthy fats, and antioxidants can support hormone balance and tissue repair. Avoid processed sugars and alcohol, which can suppress natural GH release.
  
• Incorporate regular strength training: Resistance training is a powerful trigger for growth hormone production. Combine your sermorelin therapy with weightlifting or high-intensity workouts to boost results and preserve lean muscle mass.
  
• Manage stress effectively: Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can blunt growth hormone output. Incorporate meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or mindfulness practices to help your body stay balanced and responsive to therapy.
  
• Stay connected with your provider: Keep all scheduled follow-ups and blood tests. These appointments allow your provider to track changes, make adjustments, and ensure your therapy is both safe and effective.

Sermorelin therapy can be a powerful tool for improving your health, vitality, and well-being, but only if it’s done correctly. By avoiding these mistakes and maintaining consistent habits, you can establish a foundation for long-term success. At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we guide you every step of the way, from your first injection to your final milestone. Contact us today, and let us help you get the most from your therapy to unlock the best version of yourself.