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Study · Not a test of the peptide alone · 2026

3 results

Anterior cervical osteophyte-related dysphagia in a long-term growth hormone user: a case report.

Perez SL, Martinez L, Rosselli M, Nair RR

Frontiers in surgery3 Jul 2026

PMID42465868 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13375183 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3389/fsurg.2026.1859548 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42465868
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Summary

BackgroundAnterior cervical osteophytes can compress the esophagus, producing dysphagia. Although common on imaging in older adults, symptomatic osteophytic dysphagia is underdiagnosed, and the role of systemic anabolic factors in osteophyte growth is poorly characterized.Case descriptionA 62-year-old male ex-military recreational bodybuilder presented with cervicalgia and left shoulder pain. Cervical radiographs and MRI demonstrated multilevel degenerative changes including a prominent anterior osteophyte at C3-C4 with esophageal compression. On directed questioning, he reported intermittent dysphagia with larger food boluses. He reported a cervical injury during jiu-jitsu training in 2001-2002 and disclosed approximately 20 years of patient-reported exogenous growth hormone (GH) and GH secretagogue use, including cyclical somatropin, sermorelin/GHRP-6 combination therapy, and ongoing nightly somatropin. No objective swallowing evaluation was performed given the mild, intermittent nature of symptoms.ConclusionThis case raises the hypothesis that chronic GH axis stimulation, in combination with remote cervical trauma, may contribute to clinically significant osteophyte formation. Conservative management was initiated with dietary modification and counseling regarding GH cessation. Clinicians should screen for dysphagia in patients with cervical spondylosis and inquire about anabolic substance use as a potentially relevant history.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone3

In this study, the peptide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking the peptide.

  1. 01HumanNot a test of Sermorelin aloneCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In a 62-year-old male bodybuilder with about 20 years of reported use of somatropin and GH secretagogues (including sermorelin/GHRP-6 combination therapy), imaging showed a C3-C4 anterior osteophyte with esophageal compression and he reported intermittent dysphagia.

    In plain wordsA man who used growth hormone products for 20 years had a neck bone spur pressing on his food pipe.

    Peptide
    Sermorelin
    Outcome
    Not applicableCervical osteophyte with esophageal compression and dysphagia
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Musculoskeletal

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cervical radiographs and MRI demonstrated multilevel degenerative changes including a prominent anterior osteophyte at C3-C4 with esophageal compression. On directed questioning, he reported intermittent dysphagia with larger food boluses.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    He reported a cervical injury during jiu-jitsu training in 2001-2002 and disclosed approximately 20 years of patient-reported exogenous growth hormone (GH) and GH secretagogue use, including cyclical somatropin, sermorelin/GHRP-6 combination therapy, and ongoing nightly somatropin.

    In this study, Sermorelin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Sermorelin.

  2. 02HumanNot a test of GHRP-6 aloneCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In one 62-year-old man with about 20 years of reported use of growth hormone and secretagogues including sermorelin/GHRP‑6, imaging showed a prominent anterior C3-C4 osteophyte compressing the esophagus.

    In plain wordsOne man with long-term use of growth hormone and related drugs, including a GHRP‑6 mix, had a neck bone spur pressing on the esophagus.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    Not applicableCervical osteophyte with esophageal compression
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Bone and joint · Musculoskeletal

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cervical radiographs and MRI demonstrated multilevel degenerative changes including a prominent anterior osteophyte at C3-C4 with esophageal compression.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    disclosed approximately 20 years of patient-reported exogenous growth hormone (GH) and GH secretagogue use, including cyclical somatropin, sermorelin/GHRP-6 combination therapy, and ongoing nightly somatropin.
    Summary · context
    A 62-year-old male ex-military recreational bodybuilder presented with cervicalgia and left shoulder pain.

    In this study, GHRP-6 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-6.

  3. 03HumanNot a test of GHRP-6 aloneCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    The same man with long-term growth hormone and secretagogue use (including sermorelin/GHRP‑6) reported intermittent dysphagia with larger food boluses.

    In plain wordsOne man with long-term use of growth hormone and related drugs, including a GHRP‑6 mix, had occasional trouble swallowing larger bites.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    Not applicableIntermittent dysphagia
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal

    Source sentences

    Summary
    On directed questioning, he reported intermittent dysphagia with larger food boluses.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    disclosed approximately 20 years of patient-reported exogenous growth hormone (GH) and GH secretagogue use, including cyclical somatropin, sermorelin/GHRP-6 combination therapy, and ongoing nightly somatropin.
    Summary · context
    A 62-year-old male ex-military recreational bodybuilder presented with cervicalgia and left shoulder pain.

    In this study, GHRP-6 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-6.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 3Current

    10 Oct 2026, 10:21 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:13 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:13 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

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