IGF-1 LR3
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 LR3 is listed as recovery / igf-1 analog.
- •Muscle hypertrophy (research)
- •Tissue repair
Regulatory status: Research chemical — banned by WADA.
Structure & Properties
Compound: IGF-1 LR3; also known as Long R3 IGF-1.
Pharmacologic class: Recovery / IGF-1 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
Modified IGF-1 with reduced IGFBP affinity and ~3× longer half-life — sustained activation of IGF-1R driving protein synthesis and satellite-cell activity.
- •Anabolic muscle growth
- •Enhanced recovery
- •Improved nutrient partitioning
Human Research
Evidence grade: Pre-clinical / Observational
Evidence is primarily preclinical or observational; human effectiveness and long-term safety are not established.
Laboratory Research
No human Phase trials; rodent hypertrophy data
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
Once daily post-workout (or on training days only). Some split AM/PM. Take with a small protein/carb meal within 30 min.
Potential interactions and combinations to avoid
- •Concurrent MK-677 or heavy GH — hypoglycemia + IGF overload
- •Active or suspected cancer — mitogenic risk
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
- •Organ growth / cardiomegaly with chronic use
- •Possible tumor promotion
- •Jaw / soft tissue overgrowth
Contraindications
- •Active or prior cancer
- •Diabetic retinopathy
- •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: 20–80 mcg/day (anecdotal)
Frequency: Daily, often pre-workout
Cycling: Short cycles (4–6 weeks) reported; no validated protocol.
Subcutaneous
Post-workout, systemic.
Insulin syringe. Abdomen SubQ. Pair with a small protein/carb meal within 30 min.
Local Injection
Site-specific hypertrophy protocols (research).
30G insulin syringe. Bilateral SubQ over trained muscle groups.
Dosing information is educational context, not a personal recommendation. Approved products must follow their label and prescriber instructions.
Applications & Related Therapies
Potentially complementary measures
- •Short pairing with GHRP/GHRH stacks during a training block
Clinical use should account for diagnosis, approved alternatives, nutrition, activity, sleep, rehabilitation, current medicines, and appropriate monitoring.
Monitor blood glucose, especially first week.
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 LR3?
In plain words
IGF-1 LR3 is a modified version of IGF-1, a growth-related protein. It stays in the body longer than IGF-1 and keeps growth signals active, helping cells make proteins and activating cells involved in muscle repair. Researchers study it for muscle growth and tissue repair, but evidence is limited to preclinical and observational research. It is not FDA-approved, and risks include low blood sugar, enlarged organs including the heart, jaw or soft-tissue overgrowth, and possible tumor growth.
Technical definition
IGF-1 LR3 (Long R3 IGF-1) is a modified peptide analog of insulin-like growth factor 1, with reduced affinity for IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and an approximately threefold longer half-life than IGF-1. It produces sustained activation of the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), driving protein synthesis and satellite-cell activity, and is studied for muscle hypertrophy and tissue repair; evidence is preclinical or observational. It is not FDA-approved, is classified as a research chemical, and is banned by WADA; reported risks include hypoglycemia, organ enlargement or cardiomegaly with chronic use, possible tumor promotion, and jaw or soft-tissue overgrowth.
Function
Dosing
Recommended Time of Day
Post-workout, once daily — avoid pre-bed dosing.
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.
- Over the target / injured muscle — SubQ directly above the trained or injured muscle. Never intra-articular without imaging.
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 cycles (4–6 weeks) reported; no validated protocol.
Timing & Interactions
- ·Concurrent MK-677 or heavy GH — hypoglycemia + IGF overload
- ·Active or suspected cancer — mitogenic risk
- ·Short pairing with GHRP/GHRH stacks during a training block
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
- ·Anabolic muscle growth
- ·Enhanced recovery
- ·Improved nutrient partitioning
Risks
- ·Hypoglycemia
- ·Organ growth / cardiomegaly with chronic use
- ·Possible tumor promotion
- ·Jaw / soft tissue overgrowth
Contraindications
- ·Active or prior cancer
- ·Diabetic retinopathy
- ·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 — banned by WADA
Veterinary Use (Pets)
No established veterinary protocol for IGF-1 LR3. Consult a licensed veterinarian before considering off-label use in any species.
Full veterinary reference →Functional Groups
Cited Works
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