Growth Factor

IGF-1 DES

Des(1-3) IGF-1 · Des-IGF-1 · IGF-1 DES(1-3)

A 67-residue IGF-1 analog missing the N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu tripeptide, which largely abolishes IGFBP binding. In IGFBP-rich systems it is several-fold more potent than intact IGF-1, with a ~20-minute plasma half-life. Reconstitute in 0.6% acetic acid (~100 mM), not bacteriostatic water — IGF-1 family peptides aggregate above ~pH 6.4. Not FDA-approved; mecasermin is the approved native IGF-1 product.

Not FDA-approved — research chemicalWADA (S2) — prohibited in sport at all times

Reviewed by CalcMyPeptide Editorial Team

·Last updated: April 2026·Evidence: Strong preclinical·2 peer-reviewed citations

Typical research dose

20-50 mcg (research; local/site injection)

Frequency

Training days (research use)

Half-life

~20–30 minutes (plasma)

Common vials

1 mg

CAS

112603-78-6

Molecular weight

~7.4 kDa

Dose it

1 mg + 1 mL 0.6% acetic acid → 1 mg/mL · 20 mcg ≈ 2 units (U-100)

Open in calculator

Mechanism of Action

Des(1-3) IGF-1 is mature IGF-1 minus Gly-Pro-Glu. That truncation collapses IGFBP binding, so more peptide is free at IGF1R. Potency in IGFBP-rich assays is several-fold above intact IGF-1; plasma t½ is about 20 minutes.

Reconstitute in 0.6% acetic acid (~100 mM). Bacteriostatic water is the wrong pH window — IGF-1 family peptides gel and aggregate near neutrality. Increlex (mecasermin) is itself an acetate-buffered pH 5.4 solution for the same chemistry reason.

Source: PMID: 2280209, PMID: 1715381; acetic-acid diluent: IGF-1 family formulation chemistry (Increlex pH 5.4 acetate buffer)

Use 0.6% acetic acid, not BAC water

IGF-1 DES (and related IGF-1 proteins) precipitate or gel when reconstituted only in bacteriostatic water. Laboratory and kit inserts use dilute acetic acid (commonly 0.6% / ~100 mM). Store cold; do not freeze-thaw. Hypoglycemia is the acute risk — this is an insulin-receptor-family agonist.

Dosing Protocol

Typical Dose	20-50 mcg (research; local/site injection)
Frequency	Training days (research use)
Half-Life	~20–30 minutes (plasma)
Common Vial Sizes	1 mg

Dosing Protocols

Research / local injection (community range)

Dose

20–50 mcg

Frequency

Training days

Note: Not a labeled dose. Short t½ is why injections are local. Start at the low end because of hypoglycemia.

Body-Weight Dosing Reference

Estimated doses extrapolated from the published research range of 20–50 mcg/day (referenced to 70 kg / 154 lb). These are approximations — consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised guidance.

Weight	Low Dose	Target Dose	High Dose
120 lb(54 kg)	15 mcg	27 mcg	39 mcg
140 lb(63 kg)	18 mcg	32 mcg	45 mcg
160 lb(73 kg)	21 mcg	37 mcg	52 mcg
180 lb(82 kg)	23 mcg	41 mcg	59 mcg
200 lb(91 kg)	26 mcg	46 mcg	65 mcg
220 lb(100 kg)	29 mcg	50 mcg	71 mcg
250 lb(113 kg)	32 mcg	57 mcg	81 mcg

💉 For exact syringe units based on your vial concentration, use the IGF-1 DES Reconstitution Calculator →

Administration

Route

Intramuscular or subcutaneous (research)

Timing

Often timed near training in community use because of the 20-minute window.

Fasting Required?

No — food timing not critical

Expected Timeline

Minutes

IGF1R occupancy is brief. This is not LR3’s 20–30 hour exposure.

Who Is It For?

Localized IGF-1 research

Moderate

Preclinical analog with a real chemistry constraint (acid diluent). No human approval.

Systemic growth

Low

Use IGF-1 LR3 or prescription mecasermin if the question is duration or labeled IGF-1 replacement — those are different molecules.

Reconstitution Example

Vial

1 mg

Diluent

1 mL

Concentration

1 mg/mL

Per Unit (100u syringe)

10 mcg

Dose of 20 mcg = 2 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe · 0.6% acetic acid

🧮 Calculate Your Exact IGF-1 DES Dose →

Safety & Considerations

Research analog. Hypoglycemia, injection-site reactions, and theoretical IGF1R-driven proliferation risk. Not for anyone with active malignancy. Never mix in the same syringe as insulin without a protocol you actually understand.

Regulatory & Legal Status

FDA Status (US)

Research Only

Not approved. Mecasermin (Increlex®) is the FDA-approved native IGF-1 product — a different molecule

WADA Status (2026)

Prohibited (S2)

Competitive athletes subject to anti-doping controls should not use IGF-1 DES.

Classification

Research Chemical

US Compounding: Not eligible / not available

⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory updates. Always verify with official FDA, WADA, and jurisdiction-specific sources before use.

IGF-1 DES vs. IGF-1 LR3

Attribute	IGF-1 DES	IGF-1 LR3
Structure	Native IGF-1 minus Gly-Pro-Glu (67 aa)	N-terminal extension + Arg3 (long analog)
Half-life	~20–30 minutes	~20–30 hours
IGFBP binding	Largely abolished by truncation	Evaded by LR3 design
Diluent	0.6% acetic acid — not BAC water	Often acetic acid / acid stock as well
Use pattern	Local / short pulse (research)	Systemic daily (research)

Verdict: DES is the short, local analog. LR3 is the long systemic analog. Same receptor family, opposite duration. Neither is mecasermin (Increlex).

Dosing Quick Reference

IGF-1 DES— Dosing Guide

Dose Range

20-50 mcg (research; local/site injection)

Half-Life

~20–30 minutes (plasma)

Frequency

Training days (research use)

Route

Subcutaneous

1 mg vial

💧 1 mL 0.6% acetic acid|📐 1 mg/mL|💉 10 mcg/unit (100u syringe)

Growth Factorcalcmypeptide.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reconstitute IGF-1 DES with bacteriostatic water?▼

Do not use BAC water as the stock solvent. IGF-1 family peptides aggregate above ~pH 6.4. Use 0.6% acetic acid for the vial, then dilute if a protocol requires it.

How is this different from IGF-1 LR3?▼

LR3 is a long analog (~20–30 h) engineered to evade IGFBPs via an N-terminal extension and Arg3 substitution. DES is a short, truncated native sequence (~20 min). Same receptor family, opposite duration strategy.

Is this Increlex?▼

No. Increlex is mecasermin (full-length rhIGF-1), a prescription liquid. DES is a research analog.

References

Ballard FJ et al. / Francis GL et al. lineage “Binding properties and biological activity of des(1-3)IGF-1.” Biochem J / related IGF literature (1990s). PMID: 2280209
Multiple “Des(1-3)IGF-1 potency vs intact IGF-1.” Endocrinology / related (1991). PMID: 1715381

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