So here’s what I tell patients about peptide therapy when they ask if it’s safe:
It depends. I mean… really depends on which peptide, who’s prescribing it, where you’re getting it, and what you’re expecting from it.
In my practice here in Lewisville, I see patients all the time who bring it up—usually after Googling “peptide therapy near me” or because their gym buddy told them it’ll help them drop 20 pounds, grow lean muscle, sleep better, and somehow also fix their joints. And the truth is… yeah, some peptides are legit. Sermorelin, tesamorelin—those have been around for a while and are FDA-approved for specific things. But others like BPC-157 or Ipamorelin? They’re kind of in this gray-market space. They’re widely used, but not officially approved. Still, I prescribe them. Cautiously. With labs and structure and real conversation about risk.
Let’s break this down like I would in the exam room.
“But what does it actually do, Doc? What’s peptide therapy supposed to help with?”
Good question. And the answer is: depends on the peptide.
CJC-1295/Ipamorelin is used to stimulate growth hormone—your own, not synthetic. I’ve had patients report better sleep, better recovery, slight fat loss. BPC-157? That one’s interesting—shows promise for gut healing and musculoskeletal repair. We’re talking chronic tendonitis, IBS-type symptoms, that kind of stuff.
Sermorelin used to be my go-to for fatigue and recovery support in middle-aged men not quite ready for TRT. It’s slower acting, but generally well tolerated.
But I’ll say this: None of these are magic bullets. If someone’s telling you peptides alone will transform your body? Huge red flag. These work best when stacked with good habits—resistance training, protein, sleep, and… not being 70% cortisol from daily life stress.
“Okay, but what are the risks? What could go wrong?”
Here’s where it gets real. Most people tolerate them fine, but I have seen:
Water retention (especially with GH secretagogues like Ipamorelin)
Numbness or tingling in hands (carpal tunnel-type symptoms—IGF-1 related)
Insulin resistance (MK-677, in particular, tends to nudge blood sugar)
Gynecomastia (only once, but still—wasn’t fun to manage)
And then there’s the “I bought it online from a research site” crowd—don’t do that.
I once had a patient get BPC-157 from a site that had “Not for Human Use” on the label. He still injected it. Almost ended up with an abscess in his thigh. I mean… just don’t.
The biggest risk is poor quality control from sketchy compounding pharmacies. That’s why we only use 503A FDA-registered facilities. No exceptions.
“Wait—is any of this FDA-approved?”
Now that’s a great question. Here’s the rundown of what’s actually FDA-approved:
Sermorelin – Technically discontinued, but was approved for GH deficiency
Tesamorelin – Approved for HIV-related fat redistribution
Exenatide, Liraglutide, Semaglutide – Yep, they’re technically peptides
GnRH agonists like leuprolide and goserelin – For prostate cancer and endometriosis
BPC-157? Nope. Ipamorelin? Nope. MK-677? Definitely not. That’s why I make sure patients know—we’re in off-labelterritory here. That means: we monitor. We don’t assume. And we don’t promise more than the evidence can back up.
Patient Case: “Gary” from Grapevine
Gary came in last summer. Mid-40s. Worked warehouse shifts, lifted weights 4x/week. His complaint? “I feel like I’m running on 70% battery every damn day.” Labs showed mid-low testosterone, borderline high cortisol, A1C slightly up.
We skipped TRT because he wasn’t ready. Started him on CJC/Ipamorelin combo from one of our trusted pharmacies. First month? Not much. Month 2? Better sleep. Month 3? Energy up, workouts improving, down 8 pounds. No labs out of range. No side effects. We kept going.
I think it helped him reset his rhythm. It wasn’t just the peptide—it was the structure, the discipline, and the sense of direction. But still—he credits the injections. That’s fine. As long as he feels better.
“Doc, can I take peptides instead of testosterone?”
Nope. Well… not if you’re truly hypogonadal.
Peptides like sermorelin or CJC stimulate your pituitary. They ask your body to release more growth hormone. TRT gives you actual testosterone. If your testicles aren’t making enough, no peptide is going to change that.
You can use both in some cases—but I wouldn’t stack them unless we’ve got solid labs and clear goals.
“Who should not use peptides?”
Glad you asked. I avoid them in:
Patients with active or recent cancer
Uncontrolled diabetics
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
People expecting miracles
And if you’re not willing to do the follow-ups or stick to a plan? I won’t prescribe it. These therapies require monitoring and buy-in. You can’t just inject and ghost the clinic.
Teaching moment for my med student last week:
She asked why I was willing to prescribe peptides even though they’re not all FDA-approved. My answer?
“Because I’ve seen them help. But that doesn’t mean I trust them blindly. We use judgment. We use labs. We educate. You don’t treat the peptide—you treat the patient.”
Real-Life Peptide FAQ (From My Exam Room in Lewisville)
“How long does it take for peptide therapy to work?”
Generally, 6–12 weeks before you feel anything real. Some people notice better sleep within a couple weeks. Depends on the peptide.
“Is it safe to take peptides with my other meds?”
Most of the time, yes—but I always double-check. I look at insulin sensitivity, thyroid meds, even statins. Never assume. Always reconcile.
“Can peptides help with weight loss?”
Mildly. They support recovery, sleep, energy—so they can indirectly help. But for metabolic weight loss? Semaglutide or tirzepatide tend to work faster.
“Can women take peptides too?”
Absolutely. Especially for recovery and perimenopause support. Just… slower results and dosing may vary. We go case by case.
“What’s the cost? And does insurance cover it?”
Nope. Not covered. Cash-pay only. We’ve built packages at Health Express Clinics that start around $250–$350/month depending on the peptide.
“Do I need labs before starting?”
Always. IGF-1, CMP, CBC, sometimes fasting insulin. Baseline labs are non-negotiable in my practice.
Final Thought, from one doc to another (and to my patients too):
Peptides aren’t new, but the way we’re using them now? It’s evolving. And that means we need to stay sharp—watch the data, listen to patients, and stay grounded in real-world results.
If you’re a patient in North Texas wondering if peptide therapy is right for you, schedule a visit. We’ll look at your labs, talk through your goals, and see if this is a fit—or if there’s a better next step.
Because sometimes? The right treatment isn’t what’s trending. It’s what fits.