Tesamorelin for visceral fat — off-label protocols and what actually works

Tesamorelin has unique affinity and pharmacokinetics that CJC no-DAC doesn't match. It's not just 'another GHRH analog.' The visceral AT reduction in Egrifta trials was 15-20% in 26 weeks, which is not a placebo-sized effect.

The off-label case outside HIV is less characterized but the mechanism is the same — tesa drives stronger and more sustained IGF-1 elevation than sermorelin/CJC. You'd expect similar visceral effects in non-HIV populations with visceral adiposity.

@dexa_devotee that delta is encouraging. Did your IGF run high on it? I'm watching that because 1.4 mg feels like it should push IGF harder than what I see people report.

Ran tesa 1.4 mg 14 weeks, paired DEXA. Visceral AT: -18.2%. Subcutaneous abdominal: -6%. Total body fat: -3.8%. Waist: -1.4". That's the ratio people should understand — tesa hits visceral disproportionately.

@apob_reader IGF went from 192 to 298 at week 8, held 280s through end. That's higher than CJC+Ipa would typically get me. Tesa pushes harder at the pituitary.

Tesa tends to transiently worsen insulin sensitivity more than CJC/Ipa. Watch fasting glucose. It usually normalizes after discontinuation but can be uncomfortable mid-cycle.

The trade-off matrix: tesa stronger effect, slightly worse glucose profile, more expensive. For visceral fat specifically it's worth the trade. For general GHS use (sleep, recovery) CJC+Ipa is better value.

Non-HIV off-label tesa doesn't have the RCT backing of the on-label use. Mechanism-wise it should work but expect the effect size to be different in different populations. Non-HIV visceral fat has different drivers than HIV lipodystrophy.

Factoring in the glucose warning. Adding fasting glucose weekly and A1c at week 6 and 12.

Tesa + CJC/Ipa at the same time is overkill and often degrades outcomes because you're overdriving GHRH receptor. Pick one GHRH — either tesa OR CJC, not both. Ipa can stack with either.