--- title: "IGF-1 LR3 vs Cartalax: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)" url: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compare/igf-1-lr3-vs-cartalax description: "Compare IGF-1 LR3 vs Cartalax side by side. We earn a commission on some vendor links. Mechanism, half-life, dose range, side effects and prices." lang: en --- Skip to content Compare notes on r/BodyHackGuide (https://reddit.com/r/bodyhackguide) Compare notes with other researchers. Join r/BodyHackGuide (https://reddit.com/r/bodyhackguide) # IGF-1 LR3 vs Cartalax Side-by-side comparison of IGF-1 LR3 and Cartalax: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and vendor pricing. IGF-1 LR3 from $49.99 Cartalax from $49.99 ## Price snapshot ### IGF-1 LR3 Current low $49.99 current listings 7-day low — not enough history yet 30-day low — not enough history yet 30-day change — not enough history yet ### Cartalax Current low $49.99 current listings 7-day low — not enough history yet 30-day low — not enough history yet 30-day change — not enough history yet ## IGF-1 LR3 IGF-1 LR3 (Long R3 IGF-1) is a synthetic analog of human insulin-like growth factor 1 modified at two positions to dramatically extend its serum half-life and amplify its tissue bioactivity compared to native IGF-1. The… **Lowest listed price:** $49.99 across 4 listings Full IGF-1 LR3 profile (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/igf-1-lr3) ## Cartalax Cartalax is a short synthetic peptide developed in Russia by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, positioned as a "cartilage bioregulator" intended to… **Lowest listed price:** $49.99 across 3 listings Full Cartalax profile (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/cartalax) ## Side-by-side comparison | Attribute | IGF-1 LR3 | Cartalax | | --- | --- | --- | | Category | Growth Hormone / IGF-1 Axis | Recovery | | Research Stage | Preclinical | Preclinical | | Mechanism of Action | IGF-1 Receptor Signaling IGF-1 LR3 binds the IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R) - a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase expressed on virtually every cell type in the human body. IGF1R activation triggers two principal intracellular signaling cascades: PI3K / Akt / mTOR… | Mechanism of Action Cartalax's proposed mechanism is the Khavinson short-peptide framework applied to cartilage: passive membrane permeation, nuclear import, and sequence-selective chromatin modulation producing chondrocyte-favourable transcriptional shifts.… | | Half-Life | 20-30 hours (community/vendor estimate; no published human PK study of IGF-1 LR3) vs ~12 minutes for native IGF-1 | No published human or animal pharmacokinetic data for Cartalax. As a small (~446.5 Da) tetrapeptide, rapid plasma hydrolysis (on the order of minutes) is expected, consistent with other Khavinson short peptides, but this has not been directly measured. | | Typical Dose Range | 20-80 mcg per day | 20 mg oral/sublingual once daily for 10 days; 60-90 day washout | | Dosing Frequency | Once daily, typically post-workout or in the morning | Once daily | | Administration | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular | — | | Side Effects | Acute and Common - Hypoglycemia — The primary acute safety concern. Post-injection blood glucose drops can produce shakiness, sweating, confusion, palpitations, and in severe cases loss of consciousness. Mitigation: 30-40g of fast-digesting carbohydrate within… | Side Effects and Safety Cartalax has been used in Russian clinical settings for roughly 20 years with a sparse adverse-event literature — reassuring in direction, insufficient for confident pharmacovigilance. Reported short-term adverse effects -… | | Molecular Weight | 9117 Da | 446.5 Da (C18H30N4O9) | | Common Vial Sizes | 100mcg, 1mg | — | ## Price History 3 data points - Half Nattys - Ion Peptide - Disguised Alpha ## Price History 3 data points - Ion Peptide - Disguised Alpha - LB ### IGF-1 LR3: potential benefits - Muscle hypertrophy - Recovery - Protein synthesis - Fat metabolism - Glucose uptake ### Cartalax: potential benefits - Joint and cartilage repair support - Connective tissue maintenance - Anti-aging effects on musculoskeletal system - Improved joint mobility ## Frequently asked ### What's the difference between IGF-1 LR3 and Cartalax? IGF-1 LR3 is a growth hormone / igf-1 axis that igf-1 receptor signaling igf-1 lr3 binds the igf-1 receptor (igf1r) - a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase expressed on virtually every cell type in the human body. igf1r…. Cartalax is a recovery that mechanism of action cartalax's proposed mechanism is the khavinson short-peptide framework applied to cartilage: passive membrane permeation, nuclear import, and sequence-selective…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (20-30 hours (community/vendor estimate; no published human PK study of IGF-1 LR3) vs ~12 minutes for native IGF-1 vs No published human or animal pharmacokinetic data for Cartalax. As a small (~446.5 Da) tetrapeptide, rapid plasma hydrolysis (on the order of minutes) is expected, consistent with other Khavinson short peptides, but this has not been directly measured.), and typical dose range. ### Which has the longer half-life, IGF-1 LR3 or Cartalax? IGF-1 LR3 has a half-life of 20-30 hours (community/vendor estimate; no published human PK study of IGF-1 LR3) vs ~12 minutes for native IGF-1. Cartalax has a half-life of No published human or animal pharmacokinetic data for Cartalax. As a small (~446.5 Da) tetrapeptide, rapid plasma hydrolysis (on the order of minutes) is expected, consistent with other Khavinson short peptides, but this has not been directly measured.. Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics. ### Which is cheaper, IGF-1 LR3 or Cartalax? Lowest listed price on BodyHackGuide: IGF-1 LR3 from $49.99, Cartalax from $49.99. Prices are pulled from the vendor listings tracked on BHG and change frequently. See the compare tables on each compound page for the current set of offers. ### Can you stack IGF-1 LR3 and Cartalax? Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. IGF-1 LR3 and Cartalax should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds. ## See current vendor prices Listings from the vendors we track. Prices change often, so check the vendor before you buy. IGF-1 LR3 prices: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/igf-1-lr3?tab=prices Cartalax prices: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/cartalax?tab=prices Compare all compounds: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compare ### Before you buy IGF-1 LR3 or Cartalax Check the vendor trust score. Every supplier we track is rated 0-100 on COA verification, payment transparency, shipping, reviews, and listings: one published, reproducible methodology, applied to every vendor. View Vendor Scorecard (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/vendors/scorecard) ## Related comparisons IGF-1-LR3 vs Ipamorelin: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compare/igf-1-lr3-vs-ipamorelin **Research use only.** BodyHackGuide is a research and price-comparison reference. The compounds discussed on this page are not approved by the FDA for human consumption and are sold strictly for laboratory research. Prices shown are pulled from vendor listings tracked on BHG and are subject to change. Every vendor is ranked on the same public, reproducible methodology. See editorial standards (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/editorial-standards) and affiliate disclosure (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/affiliate-disclosure). BodyHackGuide (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/) Your biohacking research hub: compound pricing, brain health protocols, dosing tools, and vendor reviews. support@bodyhackguide.co Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Mhq5UdRYBA r/BodyHackGuide on Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/BodyHackGuide **Affiliate Disclosure:** We rank every vendor on the same public, reproducible methodology (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/vendors/methodology). Full details in our affiliate disclosure (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/affiliate-disclosure). **Research Disclaimer:** All compounds listed are for laboratory and research purposes only. Not for human consumption. This site does not sell or ship any products. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional and comply with local regulations. © 2026 BodyHackGuide. All rights reserved. - Terms: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/terms - Privacy: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/privacy ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Compare", "item": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compare" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "IGF-1 LR3 vs Cartalax" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebPage", "name": "IGF-1 LR3 vs Cartalax: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)", "description": "Compare IGF-1 LR3 vs Cartalax side by side. We earn a commission on some vendor links. Mechanism, half-life, dose range, side effects and prices.", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compare/igf-1-lr3-vs-cartalax", "dateModified": "2026-10-26", "isPartOf": { "@type": "WebSite", "name": "BodyHackGuide", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co" }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "ItemList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Product", "name": "IGF-1 LR3", "description": "IGF-1 LR3 (Long R3 IGF-1) is a synthetic analog of human insulin-like growth factor 1 modified at two positions to dramatically extend its serum half-life and amplify its tissue bioactivity compared to native IGF-1. The \"LR3\" designation describes the two key modifications: - \"L\" (Long): A…", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/igf-1-lr3", "category": "Growth Hormone / IGF-1 Axis", "offers": { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "lowPrice": "49.99", "priceCurrency": "USD", "offerCount": 4 } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Product", "name": "Cartalax", "description": "Cartalax is a short synthetic peptide developed in Russia by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, positioned as a \"cartilage bioregulator\" intended to support chondrocyte function, cartilage matrix synthesis, and joint tissue resilience…", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/cartalax", "category": "Recovery", "offers": { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "lowPrice": "49.99", "priceCurrency": "USD", "offerCount": 3 } } } ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co#organization", "name": "BodyHackGuide", "alternateName": "BHG", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/logo.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 }, "description": "Evidence-based research reference for peptides and nootropics. 273 compound profiles, interactive dosing calculators, vendor price comparisons, and trust-scored vendor reviews scored on a public, reproducible methodology applied to every vendor. We earn a commission on purchases through some of our links.", "foundingDate": "2024", "founder": { "@id": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/about#person" }, "sameAs": [ "https://reddit.com/r/BodyHackGuide", "https://reddit.com/r/BrainHackGuide", "https://reddit.com/r/Biohackingher", "https://discord.gg/Mhq5UdRYBA" ], "knowsAbout": [ "Peptide research", "Nootropic research", "Biohacking", "Compound dosing", "Vendor transparency" ], "publishingPrinciples": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/editorial-standards", "ethicsPolicy": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/editorial-standards", "diversityPolicy": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/editorial-standards" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the difference between IGF-1 LR3 and Cartalax?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "IGF-1 LR3 is a growth hormone / igf-1 axis that igf-1 receptor signaling igf-1 lr3 binds the igf-1 receptor (igf1r) - a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase expressed on virtually every cell type in the human body. igf1r…. Cartalax is a recovery that mechanism of action cartalax's proposed mechanism is the khavinson short-peptide framework applied to cartilage: passive membrane permeation, nuclear import, and sequence-selective…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (20-30 hours (community/vendor estimate; no published human PK study of IGF-1 LR3) vs ~12 minutes for native IGF-1 vs No published human or animal pharmacokinetic data for Cartalax. As a small (~446.5 Da) tetrapeptide, rapid plasma hydrolysis (on the order of minutes) is expected, consistent with other Khavinson short peptides, but this has not been directly measured.), and typical dose range." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which has the longer half-life, IGF-1 LR3 or Cartalax?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "IGF-1 LR3 has a half-life of 20-30 hours (community/vendor estimate; no published human PK study of IGF-1 LR3) vs ~12 minutes for native IGF-1. Cartalax has a half-life of No published human or animal pharmacokinetic data for Cartalax. As a small (~446.5 Da) tetrapeptide, rapid plasma hydrolysis (on the order of minutes) is expected, consistent with other Khavinson short peptides, but this has not been directly measured.. Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which is cheaper, IGF-1 LR3 or Cartalax?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Lowest listed price on BodyHackGuide: IGF-1 LR3 from $49.99, Cartalax from $49.99. Prices are pulled from the vendor listings tracked on BHG and change frequently. See the compare tables on each compound page for the current set of offers." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you stack IGF-1 LR3 and Cartalax?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. IGF-1 LR3 and Cartalax should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds." } } ] } ] ```