Why You Might Gain Weight (or Stall) When Starting Tesamorelin ๐ค
Let's answer this question because it comes up on the daily. Just started tesamorelin and the scale went UP? Or maybe it's not budging at all? Don't panic - this is actually pretty common and here's why: What's Happening Behind The Scenes Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that triggers your body to produce more natural GH. When you first start, several things happen simultaneously: 1. Water Retention & Glycogen Storage - Increased GH levels boost glycogen storage in muscles - Each gram of glycogen holds 3-4 grams of water - This can add 2-5 lbs on the scale in the first few weeks - This is GOOD weight - it's stored energy, not fat 2. Muscle Protein Synthesis Kicks In - GH stimulates muscle tissue development - Muscle is denser than fat (weighs more per volume) - You might be losing fat while gaining muscle simultaneously - The scale doesn't show the composition change 3. Increased Appetite Initially - Some people experience hunger changes early on - Your metabolism is ramping up and needs fuel - This usually stabilizes after 2-4 weeks The Real Timeline Weeks 1-3: Scale might go up or stall (water/glycogen/muscle) Weeks 4-8: This is when fat loss typically becomes visible Weeks 8-12: Most people see significant body composition changes What To Track Instead โ
Progress photos (front, side, back) โ
Body measurements (waist, hips, arms) โ
How your clothes fit โ
Energy levels and recovery โ
Skin quality improvements โ Don't obsess over daily scale weight Pro Tips - Take measurements BEFORE you start - Give it at least 8-12 weeks before judging results - Stay consistent with dosing - Keep protein intake high (supports muscle growth) - Stay hydrated (helps with the water retention phase) Bottom line: That initial weight gain or plateau is usually your body RESPONDING to the peptide, not failing. Trust the process and look at the bigger picture! ๐ช Has anyone else experienced this? Drop your timeline below! ๐