IGF-1 DES (1-3)
Get a source-linked, educational explanation from this profile.
Complete Research Guide
Open each section for the available evidence. Gaps are stated rather than inferred.
Overview
IGF-1 DES (1-3) is listed as anabolic / igf analog.
- •Localized muscle hypertrophy (research)
Regulatory status: Research chemical — WADA-banned.
Structure & Properties
Compound: IGF-1 DES (1-3); also known as DES(1-3)IGF-1.
Pharmacologic class: Anabolic / IGF Analog.
Known delivery routes: Subcutaneous, Intramuscular.
Sequence, molecular weight, salt form, and excipient details are formulation-specific and are not listed unless verified by a manufacturer or laboratory COA.
How It Works
Truncated IGF-1 analog lacking the first three N-terminal residues; ~10× more potent locally due to low IGFBP affinity, with a very short half-life.
- •Strong local satellite-cell activation
- •Minimal systemic IGF-1 exposure
Human Research
Evidence grade: Pre-clinical / Observational
Evidence is primarily preclinical or observational; human effectiveness and long-term safety are not established.
Laboratory Research
Rodent hypertrophy data only
Preclinical findings describe biological plausibility, not proven benefit in people. Animal and laboratory doses do not translate directly to human use.
Processing & Interactions
Timing and exposure
No strict time-of-day requirement. Dose consistently at the same time daily and rotate injection sites. Follow the per-peptide dosing section above.
Potential interactions and combinations to avoid
- •Avoid stacking with peptides that share the same receptor or mechanism without clinical guidance.
- •Avoid combining with alcohol or immunosuppressants unless cleared by a clinician.
Absorption, half-life, metabolism, and clearance can vary by formulation and route. Use prescribing information when an approved product exists.
Safety & Precautions
Known or reported risks
- •Hypoglycemia
- •Theoretical tumor promotion
- •Localized tissue overgrowth
Contraindications
- •Active or prior malignancy
- •Diabetes on insulin
- •Pregnancy
- •Active malignancy or history of hormone-sensitive tumor (GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation)
- •Active or untreated diabetic retinopathy
- •Insulin resistance, prediabetes, or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
- •Untreated hypothyroidism or uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
- •Acromegaly, pituitary adenoma, or intracranial hypertension
- •Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral edema, or fluid-retentive heart failure
- •Critical illness after acute surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure
- •Severe obstructive sleep apnea (may worsen with soft-tissue growth)
- •Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- •Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- •Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- •Hypoglycemia risk — do not use while fasting or without glucose access
- •Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- •Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- •Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- •Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- •Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- •Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- •Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- •Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Unknown long-term toxicity should be assumed where controlled human data are limited. Seek urgent care for a severe or unexpected reaction.
Administration & Studied Formulations
Reference range: 50–100 mcg per site
Frequency: Post-training, targeted site
Cycling: Short 2–4 week blocks only; extended use is not characterized.
Subcutaneous (SubQ)
Default route for most research and therapeutic peptides — best absorption for reconstituted powder.
31G × 5/16" insulin syringe (U-100). 100 units = 1 mL. Pinch skin at abdomen (2" from navel), outer thigh, or love handle. Insert at 45–90°. Rotate sites daily to prevent lipohypertrophy. Alcohol-swab site, air-dry, inject slow, hold 5 sec.
Intramuscular (IM)
Used for depot formulations, some GH secretagogues (localized delivery), and clinical protocols requiring faster systemic uptake.
23–25G × 1–1.5" needle. 1–3 mL syringe. Ventrogluteal, vastus lateralis, or deltoid. Insert 90°, aspirate (optional), inject slowly. Rotate sites weekly.
Dosing information is educational context, not a personal recommendation. Approved products must follow their label and prescriber instructions.
Applications & Related Therapies
Potentially complementary measures
- •Most peptides pair safely with baseline nutrition, sleep, and resistance training.
Clinical use should account for diagnosis, approved alternatives, nutrition, activity, sleep, rehabilitation, current medicines, and appropriate monitoring.
Cases, Considerations & Ethics
Decision framework: establish the clinical goal, confirm evidence quality and legal status, screen contraindications and interactions, compare approved alternatives, define monitoring and stopping criteria, and use shared decision-making with a licensed clinician.
Case evidence: individual reports cannot establish safety or effectiveness and should not outweigh controlled trials.
Ethics: informed consent should distinguish established care from experimental use, disclose uncertainty and cost, avoid overstated claims, and never substitute research products for medically necessary care.
What is IGF-1 DES (1-3)?
In plain words
IGF-1 DES (1-3) is a shortened version of IGF-1, a growth-related protein. The body breaks it down quickly, so it lasts only a short time. Researchers study it for muscle growth in a specific area. Evidence is limited, and risks include low blood sugar, excess tissue growth where it acts, and a theoretical risk of helping tumors grow.
Technical definition
IGF-1 DES (1-3), also called DES(1-3)IGF-1, is an anabolic IGF-1 analog lacking the first three N-terminal amino acid residues. It has low affinity for IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), associated with approximately 10-fold greater local potency, and a very short half-life. Studied for localized muscle hypertrophy, it has preclinical and observational evidence only and is a non-FDA-approved research chemical banned by WADA.
Function
Dosing
Recommended Time of Day
Immediately post-workout, site-specific into the trained muscle.
See “Timing & Interactions” below for full fasted/fed circumstances, what to avoid combining, and what pairs well.
Administration & Technique
Injection & Application Sites
- Abdomen — 2 in (5 cm) away from the navel, either side. Fastest, most consistent SubQ absorption.
- Flank / love handle — Lateral fat pad above the hip. Good rotation site when the abdomen is tender.
- Outer thigh — Upper outer quadrant, a hand-width below the hip. SubQ pinch at 45°.
- Ventrogluteal — Palm on greater trochanter, index to ASIS — inject in the V. Safest IM site.
- Dorsogluteal (upper outer) — Upper outer quadrant of the buttock. Used for depot IM; alternate sides each cycle.
- Upper arm / deltoid — Back of the upper arm for SubQ; 2 in below the shoulder bone for IM.
- Anterior thigh (vastus lateralis) — Middle third of the outer front thigh. Preferred IM site for self-injection.
Diagram is a general illustration, not a medical instruction. Rotate sites every injection, keep 1 in (2.5 cm) between recent sites, and avoid scars, moles, bruises and the navel area.
Cycling
Short 2–4 week blocks only; extended use is not characterized.
Timing & Interactions
- ·Avoid stacking with peptides that share the same receptor or mechanism without clinical guidance.
- ·Avoid combining with alcohol or immunosuppressants unless cleared by a clinician.
- ·Most peptides pair safely with baseline nutrition, sleep, and resistance training.
Storage & Reconstitution
Reconstitution Calculator
1 mL = 100 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. Draw to the nearest 0.5 unit and confirm dosing with a clinician before injection.
Your Notes
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Benefits
- ·Strong local satellite-cell activation
- ·Minimal systemic IGF-1 exposure
Risks
- ·Hypoglycemia
- ·Theoretical tumor promotion
- ·Localized tissue overgrowth
Contraindications
- ·Active or prior malignancy
- ·Diabetes on insulin
- ·Pregnancy
- ·Active malignancy or history of hormone-sensitive tumor (GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation)
- ·Active or untreated diabetic retinopathy
- ·Insulin resistance, prediabetes, or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
- ·Untreated hypothyroidism or uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
- ·Acromegaly, pituitary adenoma, or intracranial hypertension
- ·Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral edema, or fluid-retentive heart failure
- ·Critical illness after acute surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure
- ·Severe obstructive sleep apnea (may worsen with soft-tissue growth)
- ·Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- ·Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- ·Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- ·Hypoglycemia risk — do not use while fasting or without glucose access
- ·Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- ·Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- ·Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- ·Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- ·Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- ·Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- ·Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- ·Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Regulatory
Research chemical — WADA-banned
Veterinary Use (Pets)
No established veterinary protocol for IGF-1 DES (1-3). Consult a licensed veterinarian before considering off-label use in any species.
Full veterinary reference →Functional Groups
Cited Works
Tap any study to open the published work.