Be Wary of Peptide Dealers
Working With A Provider Matters More Than You Think
Peptides have exploded in popularity over the last several years—praised for their ability to improve body composition, support healing, balance hormones, enhance cognitive function, and promote healthy aging. For many, peptides feel like a breakthrough solution when nothing else has worked.
But here’s the truth most people don’t hear:
Peptides are not “just supplements.”
They are biologically active signaling molecules that affect hormones, immune pathways, and cellular repair mechanisms. Starting peptides without professional guidance can lead to ineffective results at best—and unwanted side effects, metabolic imbalances, or immune reactions at worst.
Last week we had a patient come in, someone had come over to his house with a suitcase, unzipped it full of vials, syringes, and began boasting the benefits of peptides. He said, “It was like what I imagine a Tupperware party or MLM scheme….” Fortunately, he was smart enough to come to us to talk about peptides, sourcing, and safety profile.
If you’re considering peptides, working with a knowledgeable medical provider is essential to ensure they are:
safely sourced
medically appropriate for your biology
dosed correctly
monitored for effectiveness and side effects
integrated with your broader health goals
This is where personalization becomes powerful.
What Peptides Actually Do in the Body
Peptides act as messengers, binding to specific receptors and triggering cellular responses. Different peptides may:
stimulate growth hormone release (e.g., CJC-1295, Ipamorelin)
accelerate tissue repair (e.g., BPC-157, TB-500)
improve mitochondrial function (e.g., MOTS-c)
modulate immune function (e.g., LL-37, KPV)
improve sleep (e.g., DSIP)
enhance fat metabolism (e.g., AOD-9604, Semaglutide is technically a peptide analog)
Because peptides influence systems like the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems, responses can vary significantly between individuals.
Two people using the same peptide can experience opposite outcomes depending on:
genetics
sex hormone status
stress and cortisol levels
gut health
inflammation
mast cell activation
sleep quality
nutrient deficiencies
receptor sensitivity
This is why a personalized, provider-led approach matters. Additionally, we want to continue to observe your body’s response to peptides, as our aim is to eventually move to a maintenance dose per your unique biology as we hone in on what is or isn’t functioning correctly.
The Importance of Safe Sourcing
Not all peptides are created equal.
There are three primary sourcing pathways:
1. FDA-regulated compounding pharmacies
highest safety and purity
sterility standards
batch testing for potency and contaminants
proper storage and handling
These pharmacies must comply with:
USP standards
cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices)
FDA oversight
This is the gold standard.
2. Research Chemical Companies (the gray market)
marketed as “not for human use”
no requirement for purity testing
may contain bacterial endotoxins, fillers, or incorrect amino acid sequences
inconsistent potency
improper storage and sterility
do not require medical oversight/provider certification for ordering
Multiple studies have found that more than 20–60% of peptides purchased online are mislabeled, contaminated, or degraded. Some contain zero active peptide or contain harmful impurities.
People often assume peptides are “safe because they’re natural,” but contaminated or improperly formulated peptides can cause:
infections
immune reactions
inflammation flare-ups
allergic responses
lack of effectiveness
3. International or black-market sourcing
Highest risk category.
These sources may come from:
unregulated laboratories
overseas manufacturers without oversight
counterfeit pharmaceutical packaging
Even experienced practitioners have difficulty verifying authenticity. These are often the peptides are sold online or via your “bro” from the gym. We STRONGLY caution against this method of sourcing as there is very little oversight of the compounding, tracking of lot #’s, potency, and certification of authenticity.
Why You Need a Provider to Determine the Right Peptide Strategy
Peptides are most effective when tailored to your biology.
A skilled provider will evaluate:
goals (fat loss, healing, cognitive support, hormonal balance)
metabolic markers
inflammation levels
gut integrity
sleep and stress patterns
menstrual cycle or hormone replacement status
immune history (especially for MCAS or autoimmune)
medication interactions
For example:
Someone with high inflammation may respond poorly to growth hormone–stimulating peptides until inflammation is controlled.
A person with mast cell activation may flare with certain peptides like LL-37 but thrive on KPV or BPC-157.
Women in perimenopause may require different dosing schedules than men.
Without evaluation, people can waste months and hundreds of dollars on peptides that won't work for their physiology and further disrupt their system.
Proper Dosing and Titration Matters
Unlike supplements, peptide dosing involves:
weight considerations
receptor saturation
tolerance development
timing relative to cortisol and insulin
injection site variability
Examples:
Growth hormone secretagogues work best fasting or before sleep
MOTS-c impacts mitochondrial signaling and should be cycled
LL-37 can provoke immune flares if dosed too high
BPC-157 may require localized vs systemic dosing depending on injury type
A provider ensures dosing starts low and increases strategically based on response—not guesswork.
Monitoring to Ensure Peptides Are Working for Your Biology
A provider doesn't just prescribe peptides—they monitor outcomes.
Tracking may include:
Objective Measures
body composition (muscle vs fat vs water)
inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR)
metabolic labs (fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c)
hormone panels
sleep metrics
VO2 capacity
recovery markers
Subjective Measures
energy
appetite changes
sleep depth
pain levels
digestion
skin changes
mood and cognition
Safety Monitoring
Providers evaluate for:
injection reactions
fluid retention
immune activation
headaches
joint discomfort
hormonal shifts
blood sugar changes
This allows adjustments before problems develop and ensures peptides are actually helping—not just being taken. Recently, I added a peptide into my stack believing that it would work well with my biology, however, some of the side effects and personalized measurements quickly told us this peptide was not for me. Instead of pushing through, we did an inventory of my body’s response and were able to determine that peptide was duplicating my body’s healthy function, rather than initiating healthy response that wasn’t functioning.
Customized Stacking: Where Most People Go Wrong
People online often combine multiple peptides without understanding interactions.
Examples of risky stacking:
LL-37 + TB-500 in someone with autoimmune disease (can worsen immune dysregulation)
CJC-1295 No DAC + Sermorelin simultaneously (redundant and may desensitize receptors)
AOD-9604 + Semaglutide without monitoring nutrition (risk of muscle loss)
Our providers desire to work with your body’s unique biology, starting low and slow to ensure the best outcomes.
BPC-157 + TB-500 for post-surgical repa
KPV + BPC-157 for gut and inflammatory support
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin for growth hormone optimization
MOTS-c + exercise program for mitochondrial function
Tailoring stacks prevents wasted effort and maximizes outcomes. We’ve developed two peptide stacks that are “safe” for most patients to begin without a provider consultation:
The Wolverine Stack- primarily for athletes, injuries, better athletic recovery, reduced inflammation
The Anti-Inflammatory Stack- Created to reduce systemic inflammation over the entire body and restore healthy mitochondrial function.
Avoiding the "Muscle Loss Trap"
Many people begin peptides for fat loss, especially GLP-1 analogs like Semaglutide.
Without provider oversight, the biggest risk is rapid weight loss with significant muscle loss.
A provider will monitor:
protein intake
resistance training
metabolic rate
hydration
body composition scans
Preserving lean mass is essential for long-term metabolic health, hormone balance, and weight stability.
The Bottom Line
Peptides are powerful tools—but only when:
correctly sourced
properly dosed
tailored to individual biology
monitored over time
integrated into a comprehensive wellness strategy
Working with a knowledgeable provider ensures that peptides are:
safe
effective
aligned with your physiology
designed to support long-term health
When used responsibly, peptides can be life-changing.
When used casually, they can be disappointing or harmful.
Your biology deserves precision—not guesswork.
References
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. FDA.gov.
Cohen PA et al. "Use of unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients in dietary supplements." JAMA Network Open. 2018.
Shaw K et al. "Quality assessment of peptides purchased online." Drug Testing and Analysis. 2020.
Hooper L et al. "Endotoxin contamination in peptide products." Clinical and Vaccine Immunology. 2014.
Hackney AC. "Growth hormone and metabolic regulation." Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. 2020.
Kalsi SS et al. "Peptide therapeutics: Current status and future directions." British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2022.