COMPOUND

Compounds / GH secretagogues

IGF-1 DES

Des(1-3) IGF-1 (truncated insulin-like growth factor-1, missing first 3 N-terminal residues)

GH secretagogues IM · SubQ Not FDA approved

Truncated form of IGF-1 missing the first three N-terminal amino acids. The truncation reduces IGFBP binding affinity ~10x while preserving full IGF-1 receptor agonism, making it ~10x more potent than native IGF-1 in tissues with high IGFBP expression. Very short half-life (~30 min) makes it the canonical bodybuilding choice for site-specific intramuscular injection ('site enhancement'). Same hypoglycemia and mitogenic concerns as IGF-1 LR3, but lower systemic exposure due to rapid clearance.

At a glance

Half-life
~30 min Plasma t½ ~20-30 minutes. Cleared rapidly. Much shorter than LR3 (~20-30h). Tmax ~15 min.
Routes
IM · SubQ
Vial sizes
1 mg
Evidence base
2 studies 1 review · 1 preclinical

Mechanism

Same IGF-1 receptor → PI3K/Akt/mTOR mechanism as native IGF-1 and LR3, but the missing N-terminal tripeptide eliminates IGFBP binding, making DES(1-3) IGF-1 ~10x more potent than native IGF-1 in serum-based assays. Greater anabolic effect than native IGF-1 demonstrated in a dexamethasone-induced wasting model. The result is high local receptor occupancy at the injection site with minimal systemic exposure due to rapid clearance. Bodybuilders inject directly into the trained muscle (bilateral) post-workout to drive localized hypertrophy and satellite cell activation in the worked tissue.

Dosing

No standardized human dosing has been established. Every catalogued study for IGF-1 DES is preclinical or a literature review. Amounts used in animal models do not translate directly to humans.

Published evidence

  1. Review 1987

    Natural and synthetic forms of IGF-1 and the potent derivative, des(1-3)IGF-I: biological activities and receptor binding

    Ballard FJ, Francis GL, Ross M, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun

    Original characterization: DES(1-3) IGF-1 is ~10x more potent than native IGF-1 in serum-based assays due to reduced IGFBP binding.

    PMID 2962574

  2. Animal in vivo 1992

    Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and especially IGF-I variants are anabolic in dexamethasone-treated rats

    Tomas FM, Knowles SE, Owens PC, et al. Biochemical Journal

    DES(1-3) IGF-1 demonstrated greater anabolic effect than native IGF-1 in catabolic state.

    PMID 1371669

Reported side effects

Hypoglycemia
Occasional Moderate · Lower risk than LR3 due to short half-life, but still possible, particularly with high doses or fasted state. Carry a glucose source.
Injection site reaction / pain
Common Mild · IM injection causes local soreness; some report transient muscle tightness from local IGF-1 trophic effect.
Localized swelling / pump
Common Mild · Often described as desirable: local tissue trophic response.
Mitogenic / cancer concern (theoretical)
Unknown Serious · Same epidemiologic concern as LR3: IGF-1 is a known mitogen. Local exposure may be lower-risk than systemic LR3 but not zero. AVOID with any cancer history.

Interactions

  • Insulin Contraindicated

    Both lower blood glucose. Hypoglycemia risk.

  • Test Cypionate Synergy

    Local muscle hypertrophy synergy. Common bodybuilding stack.

Reconstitution and storage

1mg vial + 1mL BAC water → 1000 mcg/mL. 0.05mL = 50 mcg.

Lyophilized at -20°C. Reconstituted refrigerated, use within 14 days.

Open the reconstitution calculator for IGF-1 DES