IGF-1 DES(1-3) is a truncated form of insulin-like growth factor 1 missing its first three N-terminal amino acids, a change that sharply lowers binding to IGF-binding proteins and increases potency. It is a laboratory research reagent with no approved human use and essentially no controlled human data.
Mechanism under study
Activates the IGF-1 receptor but, lacking the first three N-terminal residues, binds IGF-binding proteins poorly, leaving more peptide free and making it markedly more potent than native IGF-1 in tissue models.
Research-reported dosing
No approved human use; it is a laboratory and animal research reagent. Non-clinical sources describe small localized amounts (forum figures around 50-100 mcg), but there is no validated or approved human dosing. Reported context only.
Research lyophilate. A 1 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL bacteriostatic water yields 500 mcg/mL; on a U-100 syringe 1 unit (0.01 mL) is about 5 mcg. Research use only.
A 40 mcg dose ≈ 8 units (5 mcg per unit).
Open this mix in the calculator →Dosing figures describe how this compound appears in the research literature and research-community references. They are not a recommendation for human use.
IGF-1 DES (1-3) FAQ
What is IGF-1 DES (1-3)?
IGF-1 DES(1-3) is a truncated form of insulin-like growth factor 1 missing its first three N-terminal amino acids, a change that sharply lowers binding to IGF-binding proteins and increases potency. It is a laboratory research reagent with no approved human use and essentially no controlled human data.
What is the half-life of IGF-1 DES (1-3)?
Short; because it largely evades IGF-binding-protein capture it is cleared rapidly, and free native IGF-1 itself persists only minutes.
What is the research-reported dosing for IGF-1 DES (1-3)?
No approved human use; it is a laboratory and animal research reagent. Non-clinical sources describe small localized amounts (forum figures around 50-100 mcg), but there is no validated or approved human dosing. Reported context only.
How is IGF-1 DES (1-3) reconstituted?
Research lyophilate. A 1 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL bacteriostatic water yields 500 mcg/mL; on a U-100 syringe 1 unit (0.01 mL) is about 5 mcg. Research use only.
Is IGF-1 DES (1-3) FDA-approved?
No — IGF-1 DES (1-3) is not FDA-approved and is sold for laboratory research use only.
References
Related peptides
IGF-1 LR3
Recombinant IGF-1 analog
A modified, long-acting analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 widely used as a research reagent in cell-culture and preclinical growth studies.
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
IGF-1 splice-variant peptide (IGF-1Ec)
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a splice variant of IGF-1 known as IGF-1Ec, expressed transiently by muscle after mechanical loading or damage. The non-pegylated form described here is very short-acting and is distinct from the stabilized PEG-MGF variant. Evidence is preclinical and it is not an approved therapeutic.
PEG-MGF
Pegylated IGF-1 splice variant (Mechano Growth Factor)
A pegylated form of Mechano Growth Factor, a splice variant of IGF-1 linked to muscle repair. Human data are limited and its use is investigational.
Somatropin (Recombinant HGH)
Recombinant peptide hormone (191-amino-acid growth hormone)
Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone, the 191-amino-acid hormone itself rather than a secretagogue. It is FDA-approved across several growth-hormone-deficiency and growth-failure indications and is the hormone that peptides such as sermorelin, CJC-1295, and the GHRPs prompt the pituitary to release. Because it is the native hormone, its effects and risks are comparatively well characterized.