A1C (glycated hemoglobin)
A blood test that reflects average blood glucose levels over roughly 2–3 months and is commonly used in studies of diabetes and metabolic therapies.
Glossary
Short, neutral explanations of recurring terms used across this site. These definitions are for general educational context only and do not replace professional medical judgment or formal clinical references.
Amylin
A hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells that can slow gastric emptying, influence satiety, and contribute to postprandial glucose control.
Related peptides: Cagrilintide
Body mass index (BMI)
A simple calculation based on height and weight that is often used in research and guidelines to categorize weight status and define eligibility for certain weight-management therapies.
Related tools: BMI calculator
Cardiometabolic risk
A broad term for the combined risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and related metabolic disturbances.
GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide)
An incretin hormone that, together with GLP-1, can enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion and is a target for certain dual and triple agonist peptides.
Related peptides: Tirzepatide, Retatrutide
Related class pages: GLP-1 and related incretin therapies
GLP-1 receptor
A receptor found on cells in the pancreas, brain, and other tissues that responds to the hormone GLP-1 and helps regulate insulin secretion, glucagon, gastric emptying, and appetite signals.
Related peptides: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Retatrutide
Related class pages: GLP-1 and related incretin therapies
GLP-1 receptor agonist
A medicine that activates glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, typically used and studied for effects on blood glucose, appetite, and body weight.
Related peptides: Semaglutide
Related class pages: GLP-1 and related incretin therapies
Growth hormone secretagogue
A peptide or other compound that stimulates the body’s own release of growth hormone, often by acting on the growth hormone secretagogue receptor rather than supplying growth hormone directly.
Related peptides: Ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, Hexarelin, CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
Growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) analog
A synthetic peptide modeled on natural GHRH that acts at the pituitary to stimulate physiologic, pulsatile growth hormone release.
Related peptides: Sermorelin Acetate, CJC-1295 with DAC, CJC-1295 without DAC, Tesamorelin
Incretin
A group of hormones, including GLP-1 and GIP, that are released from the gut after eating and help regulate insulin secretion and blood glucose in a glucose-dependent way.
Related class pages: GLP-1 and related incretin therapies
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
A hormone produced mainly by the liver in response to growth hormone that helps mediate many of GH’s effects on growth, metabolism, and body composition.
Related peptides: HGH 191AA (Somatropin), Tesamorelin
Jurisdiction
A legal or regulatory region, such as a country or state, that may have its own rules about how therapies can be approved, marketed, and used.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
A potentially serious complication of some fertility treatments in which the ovaries become enlarged and fluid shifts can cause abdominal discomfort and other systemic symptoms.
Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
A type of clinical study in which participants are randomly assigned to different interventions so that outcomes can be compared in a controlled, bias-reduced way.
Visceral adipose tissue (VAT)
Fat that accumulates deep inside the abdomen around internal organs, often linked to cardiometabolic risk more strongly than fat just under the skin.
Related peptides: Tesamorelin, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide