My May Peptide Stack (and Why I’m Using Each One)
A second chance at Tesamorelin, a surprise for my liver, and everything else in my May stack.
One thing I’ve learned after fifteen years of navigating ulcerative colitis and the last several navigating perimenopause is that there is no permanent (or magical) protocol. What works in January doesn’t always work in May. My body changes. My goals change. I change my thinking and opinion…
So if you’ve been following along with my monthly stack recaps, you already know this: some peptides are foundational and you’ll see them show up again and again. Others are strategic, and I rotate them in based on what I’m working on, what season we’re in, or what my body is telling me it needs right now.
I also want to be transparent about something… I really do love trying peptides. It’s so fun, and it’s one of my favorite parts of this work. Testing things in my own body, understanding how they feel, what they do, what they don’t do… that firsthand experience is what makes me confident when I’m working with clients or when women come to me with questions. I can speak to it honestly because I’ve tried it and lived it.
My practitioner Curtis guides a lot of what I use. I follow his recommendations and trust his expertise when it comes to building my peptide protocols. There are things I recommend based on his guidance and the research behind them. But here’s what I will always say regardless: please work with someone who is knowledgeable about peptides and can prescribe or guide you properly.
And of course, I will always share the good, the bad, and the ugly, so you can make an informed decision for yourself.
That said, let’s get into it!
What’s New This Month
Tesamorelin + KPV
This peptide combo is new to my stack and I want to give some backstory…
If you listened to my podcast episode where I recapped my experience with Tesamorelin and Ipamorelin, you know it did not go well for me. I gained a significant amount of water weight, and my body did not respond the way I hoped. It was frustrating, especially because I had gone in with such high hopes. So when Ellie MD introduced a Tesamorelin + KPV combination, I was excited and ready to try again!
KPV is a peptide I know pretty well. It was one of the first I tried specifically for ulcerative colitis. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory, gentle, and one I genuinely love and trust. The idea of pairing it with Tesamorelin and following Ellie MD’s specific dosing protocol, definitely felt worth trying again because of the added KPV benefits.
I just started EllieMD’s eight week protocol, five days on, two days off, following their exact dosing guidance. Summer is right around the corner, so I’m cautiously optimistic this time around, and I’ll be sharing updates as I go.
Livagen
Also new this month…
I’d been having some breakouts… acne on my face and body, which for me is a signal that something is off internally. Curtis suggested my liver might need some support, and that’s when Livagen came back into the picture.
I actually used Livagen in my early days with ulcerative colitis, and it made sense then for the same reasons it makes sense now. Livagen is a bioregulator that targets the liver, the GI tract, and the immune system. It’s different from a peptide because it works at the level of gene expression, and it’s been shown to support liver cell regeneration, normalize antioxidant status, and help restore liver function under stress. For anyone dealing with a gut condition like UC, the liver connection is real. Your liver is working overtime to process inflammation, clear toxins, and keep your digestive system functioning. When it’s struggling, your skin often tells you first and that was my experience.
I’ve only been using Livagen for two weeks now, and I’ve already noticed a difference. The breakouts have calmed down, and my skin definitely looks clearer. Thank goodness!
The Staples… Still Going Strong!
SS-31
This one is in my stack for the long haul and want to explain why because I think it’s underrated in the women’s wellness conversation.
SS-31 is a mitochondria-targeted peptide. What that means is that it works at the cellular level, specifically targeting the part of the cell responsible for producing energy. As we age, and especially as estrogen declines in perimenopause, mitochondrial function naturally decreases. It’s one of the core reasons so many women in their 40s feel like they’re running on a depleted battery no matter how much sleep they get.
SS-31 works by stabilizing cardiolipin, a critical component of the mitochondrial membrane that’s essential for energy production and protecting cells from oxidative damage. When this is working well, you feel it: more energy, better recovery, clearer thinking and less brain fog. It can also reduce inflammation and support cellular repair. It’s definitely a foundational peptide!
Larazotide
I’ve been on Larazotide for a few months now, and the plan was to use it for a full six months.
For anyone newer here, Larazotide is a gut healing peptide specifically targeted at intestinal permeability aka “leaky gut.” After 15 years of ulcerative colitis, my gut has been through a lot, so this peptide isn’t a quick fix. It’s a slow, intentional repair process, and I’m just hoping it continues to work!
Retatrutide
I’m in my final week or two of Retatrutide (gonna just use up the vial), and I shared my full experience in a previous article so I won’t rehash all of it here. What I will say is that I’ve seen awesome results. I’m down about 5 pounds on the scale, and I’ve leaned out without losing muscle just in time for summer. I’m a big fan!
Glutathione + Vitamin C
These two are always in my stack, and they are a great addition, especially for women in perimenopause and menopause. Here’s why…
As estrogen declines, oxidative stress in the body increases. That’s not something you can feel directly, but you experience the downstream effects as far as fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, slower recovery, skin changes, and disrupted sleep. Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant, and it’s one of the first things that gets depleted under hormonal and environmental stress, alcohol consumption, and, well, just good ol’ daily life.
Beyond antioxidant protection, glutathione plays a direct role in hormone regulation and metabolism, supports liver detoxification, which becomes increasingly important as the liver works to process shifting hormones, and has been linked to improved sleep quality, immune function, and skin health. For women in perimenopause and menopause, it’s one of the most underutilized tools!
Vitamin C works synergistically with glutathione as it helps regenerate and extend its effects in the body. On its own, it’s essential for collagen production (oh, hey, fine lines and wrinkles), immune resilience, adrenal support, and managing the cortisol burden that so many of us are dealing with on the regular.
I do both as injections, and I highly recommend to any woman who is serious about her foundational and metabolic health!
Where to Source
When it comes to sourcing peptides, I want to be honest with you about the difference between your options because they are not the same experience.
EllieMD is where I’d point anyone who is new to peptides or wants full support. You’re working with a doctor, you have access to a prescription, compounding pharmacy, and a protocol built for you, and everything comes reconstituted and ready to use (supplies included), right to your door. There is no guessing, no math, no figuring out how to reconstitute a vial at your kitchen counter. If you want a guided, supported experience, this is it.
303 Peptides (discount code: carrotsncake10) and Parabolic Peptides (discount code: carrotsncake) are a different route, and one I also trust and recommend to the right individual. These are for women who want to take a more DIY approach. You will need to reconstitute the peptides yourself, figure out your dosing, and source your own supplies. It’s absolutely doable, but it requires more knowledge and more responsibility on your end. Be sure to work with someone knowledgeable, have a plan, and don’t just wing it.
I have ordered from all three of the companies multiple times and had a great experience. I just want you to go in knowing which option is right for you.
As always, I’m not here to tell you what to do. I’m here to share what I’m doing, what I’m experiencing, and what I’ve learned along the way. Take what’s useful. Leave what isn’t. And if you have questions, drop them below.
I’d love to know… are you using peptides right now? What’s working for you? What questions do you have going into summer?
P.S. If you've been curious about microdosing a GLP-1 and don't know where to start, I have a free Microdosing Masterclass just for you. It's everything I wish someone had told me in the beginning: what microdosing actually is, how it works, and how to think about it as a tool (not “cheating”) for women in perimenopause and menopause. You can grab it right here: carrotsncake.kit.com/microdose