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Is HGH a peptide?

It depends on the definition. The somatropin label calls HGH a protein of 191 amino acid residues, much larger than the short chains usually called peptides.

Recombinant growth hormoneUpdated

Short answer

It depends on the definition. The somatropin label calls HGH a protein of 191 amino acid residues, much larger than the short chains usually called peptides.[1]

Doping literature nevertheless groups hGH with peptide hormones and growth factors, so the word is used loosely in practice.[2]

What the labelled product is

Pharmaceutical HGH (somatropin) is made by recombinant DNA technology in bacteria.[1]

The label states the sequence is identical to pituitary-derived human growth hormone.[1]

More on HGH

How it worksTarget, mechanism and how long it acts, from the label or studies.HGH overview

Sources

  1. 1GENOTROPIN prescribing information (FDA label)FDA label, DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2Identification of black market products and potential doping agents in Germany 2010-2013.European journal of clinical pharmacology · 2014PMID 25168622Accessed 29 Oct 2026

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