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.
Insights on this page are consolidated from peer-reviewed literature and aggregated research data. They do not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
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.
Research Indications
Local muscle hyperplasia (lagging body parts)
EffectiveShort 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 breakDose
50–100 mcg IM
Frequency
Post-workout only, on training days
Route
IM into target muscle
Peptide Interactions
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
Add BAC water or 0.1% acetic acid slowly down inner vial wall.
Swirl gently. Do not shake.
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.
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Information on this page applies to pharmaceutical-grade peptides. Purity & identity of research-grade products vary. Certipep provides independent ESI-QTOF-MS & HPLC analysis with a signed analytical report.
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