Compare notes on r/BodyHackGuideCompare notes with other researchers. Join r/BodyHackGuide

IGF-1 Des(1-3)

Status: Preclinical / Research peptide, , not approved for human use
Evidence: Not graded on a research bench yet

IGF-1 Des(1-3) is a truncated variant of insulin-like growth factor-1 missing the first three N-terminal amino acids. The truncation reduces binding affinity to IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) ~10-fold, leaving more free peptide available to bind IGF-1 receptors at the injection site.

Reviewed 2 October 2026

01Overview

What IGF-1 Des(1-3) is

Net effect: higher local potency than standard IGF-1 LR3 at the same molar dose.

Most popular among bodybuilders and research peptide users for site-specific intramuscular injections post-workout. Rapid onset, short serum window.

How it works

Mechanism mirrors standard IGF-1: binds IGF-1 receptors, activates PI3K-Akt and Ras-MAPK signaling cascades driving cell growth, protein synthesis, and inhibition of apoptosis. The Des(1-3) modification reduces IGFBP affinity, raising free fraction at the local injection site. Users theorize this may favor local hypertrophic signaling at the injection site, though evading IGFBPs also increases systemic bioavailability; localized-only effects are not clinically demonstrated.

Studied for

Skeletal muscle hypertrophy
IGF receptor signaling
IGF binding proteins

Benefits listed

Higher local potency than IGF-1 LR3 (reduced IGFBP binding)
Site-specific hypertrophy when injected intramuscularly
Activates PI3K-Akt for protein synthesis
Used in research-peptide bodybuilding protocols

02Research

Free with email

What the research shows

No research bench grades IGF-1 Des(1-3) yet. Benches compare compounds people pair, with the evidence for each.

Key research findings

Des(1-3)IGF-1 has been studied only in cell-culture and animal models; there are no human clinical trials. Its defining property - weak binding to IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) while retaining normal affinity for the type 1 IGF receptor - makes it roughly 10x more potent than intact IGF-1 under IGFBP-replete conditions. In cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells it was about 10-fold more potent than intact IGF-1 at promoting FSH-stimulated progesterone accumulation, an effect attributed to its diminished IGFBP affinity [PMID:1383276]. The analogue was originally identified, and its enhanced potency explained, through L6 myoblast cell-culture bioassays [PMID:7520484]. All human bodybuilding use is off-label and anecdotal, with no controlled human efficacy or safety data.

Safety and side effects

Anecdotal AEs: hypoglycemia (most common, requires food intake post-injection), lightheadedness, headache, injection site soreness. Theoretical: long-term IGF receptor activation has been associated in epidemiology with some cancer types.

On PubMed

198 PubMed results for the search "des 1-3 IGF-I"[tiab] OR "des 1-3 IGF-1"[tiab], counted 2 October 2026. A search count, not a count of studies on IGF-1 Des(1-3).

Browse studies on PubMed

Unlock the research summary

Enter your email to keep reading. It is free, and it opens these sections on every compound page in this browser.

A summary of the key research
Safety and side effects
A link to the PubMed results

You also get the free peptide cheat sheet by email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Have an account? Sign in

03Safety

IGF-1 Des side effects and interactions

Side effects

Common

Hypoglycemia post-injection (manage with carb intake)
Lightheadedness
Headache
Injection site soreness

Serious events

Severe hypoglycemia in fasted state
Theoretical cancer-promotion concern with prolonged IGF receptor activation

Who should not use it

Contraindications

Active malignancy or cancer history. Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hypoglycemia-prone or fasted state. Active proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Interactions

Not in our record

Our record lists no interactions for IGF-1 Des(1-3). That means none are recorded here, not that none exist.

This interaction data is compiled from published research and community reports. It may not be exhaustive. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining compounds.

Need bloodwork before starting?

Full hormone + metabolic panels from Anabolic Insights. Code CHONCH for first-order discount.

Order Bloodwork

04Dosing

Free with email

IGF-1 Des dosage and protocols

Dose range: 20-100 mcg
Dosing: Once daily on training days
Common vials: 1mg

Dosing summary

Dose: 20-100 mcg
Route: Intramuscular preferred (site-specific)
Frequency: Once daily on training days
Duration: 4-6 weeks

Protocols

Beginner protocol

20 mcg intramuscular into trained muscle post-workout, 3-4x per week, for 4 weeks.

Intermediate protocol

40-60 mcg intramuscular post-workout, 4-5x per week. Eat carb-rich meal within 30 min of injection to manage hypoglycemia risk.

Advanced protocol

50-100 mcg site-injection post-workout, daily on training days. Advanced protocols stay within 6-week cycles.

Common vial sizes

Reconstitution and handling notes

Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water. A 1mg vial + 1mL BAC water gives 1000 mcg/mL. Inject within seconds of mixing - peptide is fragile.

Stacking notes

Common in bodybuilding stacks with MGF post-workout and BPC-157 for tendon support. Pair with CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin for GH-IGF axis stacking. Avoid stacking with IGF-1 LR3 - overlapping mechanism, additive AE risk.

Additional dosage notes

Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water. A 1mg vial + 1mL BAC water = 1000 mcg/mL. 2 units = 20 mcg starting dose. ALWAYS eat within 30 minutes of injection - hypoglycemia risk is significant.

Unlock the dosing protocols

Enter your email to keep reading. It is free, and it opens these sections on every compound page in this browser.

Dose, route, how often and how long
Beginner, intermediate and advanced protocols
Reconstitution and handling notes
Stacking notes

You also get the free peptide cheat sheet by email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Have an account? Sign in

05Prices

IGF-1 Des(1-3) prices

No listings

We do not track a vendor for IGF-1 Des(1-3) yet, so this page states no price.

06Chemistry

Chemistry and structure

Molecular formula: ~7649 Da (truncated IGF-1)
Molecular mass: ~7,371 Da
Amino acid sequence: TLCGAELVDALQFVCGDRGFYFNKPTGYGSSSRRAPQTGIVDECCFRSCDLRRLEMYCAPLKPAKSA

08Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is IGF-1 Des(1-3) used for in research?

IGF-1 Des(1-3) is a truncated variant of insulin-like growth factor-1 missing the first three N-terminal amino acids (Gly-Pro-Glu). The truncation reduces binding affinity to IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) ~10-fold, leaving more free peptide available to bind IGF-1 receptors at the injection site. Net effect: higher local potency than standard IGF-1 LR3 at the same molar dose.

Most popular among bodybuilders and research peptide users for site-specific intramuscular injections post-workout. Rapid onset, short serum window.

What forms does IGF-1 Des(1-3) come in?

IGF-1 Des(1-3) is available in vials, capsules, and sprays forms.

How much does IGF-1 Des(1-3) cost?

BodyHackGuide tracks no vendor for IGF-1 Des(1-3) yet, so no price is stated.

How do I compare IGF-1 Des(1-3) vendors?

Compare prices, payment methods, shipping, and COA scores across 0 vendors.

Price check

No vendor listings yet

We do not track a vendor for IGF-1 Des(1-3) yet.

Compare other compounds

Spec sheet