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IGF-1 DES(1-3)

IGF-1 Fragment (short-acting)

Also known as: Des(1-3)IGF-1 · IGF-1 DES · Truncated IGF-1

A truncated form of IGF-1 lacking the first three amino acids, with 10x higher potency than native IGF-1 & a shorter half-life. Primarily used for local muscle injections.

Typical Dose

50–150 mcg post-workout, IM into target muscle

Route

Intramuscular injection (target muscle preferred for localized effect)

Cycle

4–6 weeks; mandatory break between cycles

Half-life

~20–30 minutes (much shorter than LR3)

Storage

2–8°C lyophilized. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, use within 14 days.

Overview

IGF-1 DES(1-3) is naturally occurring — it is produced by cleavage of the N-terminal tripeptide from IGF-1 by plasmin & other proteases in the brain & gut. Removal of the first three amino acids dramatically reduces IGFBP binding (similar to LR3 modification) & increases receptor binding affinity by approximately 10-fold compared to standard IGF-1.

Its half-life is shorter than IGF-1 LR3 (~20–30 min), which reduces systemic hypoglycemia risk but requires site-specific injection close to the target muscle for meaningful local effect. It is used for localized hypertrophy protocols (lagging muscle groups) rather than systemic anabolic effects.

Quick Start Guide

1

Start with 20–30 mcg test dose IM into target muscle to assess response.

2

Dose 50–100 mcg IM into target muscle post-workout.

3

Have fast-acting carbohydrates available. Hypoglycemia risk is lower than LR3 but present.

Research Indications

Local muscle hyperplasia (lagging body parts)

Effective

Short half-life makes systemic effect minimal; injecting directly into lagging muscle maximizes local IGF-1 receptor activation for site-specific growth.

Research Protocols

Lagging muscle development

4–6 weeks; then 4-week break

Dose

50–100 mcg IM

Frequency

Post-workout only, on training days

Route

IM into target muscle

Peptide Interactions

IGF-1 LR3Monitor

Do not combine; additive hypoglycemia risk & receptor saturation.

Side Effects & Safety

Common

  • Hypoglycemia (lower risk than LR3 but still present)
  • Local muscle swelling post-injection
  • Fatigue

Uncommon

  • Headache
  • Joint discomfort

When to Stop

  • Symptomatic hypoglycemia
  • Known malignancy
  • Signs of allergic reaction

How to Reconstitute

1

Add BAC water or 0.1% acetic acid slowly down inner vial wall.

2

Swirl gently. Do not shake.

3

Refrigerate. Use within 14 days.

Dosing math: Common: 1 mL per 1 mg vial = 1000 mcg/mL. For 100 mcg: 0.1 mL.

Quality Indicators

Good — use as normal

  • Clear, colorless solution

Acceptable

  • Very slight opalescence clearing within 60 seconds

Discard immediately

  • Persistent cloudiness
  • Aggregation
  • Unrefrigerated reconstituted product

What to Expect

Per-injection effect

Short half-life means the effect is localized & transient. Results are cumulative over weeks of consistent use.

Week 2–6

Site-specific muscle fullness & hypertrophy, especially noticeable in injected muscle groups.

Community Insights

Self-reported. Reflects user experience, not clinical outcomes.

Verify what you have

Information on this page applies to pharmaceutical-grade peptides. Purity & identity of research-grade products vary. Certipep provides independent ESI-TOF-MS & HPLC analysis with a signed analytical report.

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