CalcMyPeptide
Immune & ThymicAlso known as: Facteur Thymique Sérique, FTS, Thymuline, Serum Thymic Factor

Thymulin

Thymulin (Facteur Thymique Sérique) is an incredibly potent, zinc-dependent nonapeptide and the only known circulating thymic hormone. Exclusively produced by thymic epithelial cells in youth, its production crashes essentially to zero following post-pubescent thymic involution. Exogenous Thymulin administration is an elite, bleeding-edge protocol utilized to forcefully re-engage T-cell immunity, dramatically spike aggressive Natural Killer (NK) cell counts, and combat severe autoimmune and immunodeficient states.

Reviewed by CalcMyPeptide Editorial Team
Last updated: April 2026Evidence: Low1 peer-reviewed citation

Quick Stats

Half-LifeShort (peptide)
Dose Range1-5 mg/day
Frequency1× daily for 10-30 day cycles
Vial Sizes5 mg, 10 mg
BioavailabilitySubcutaneous injection
Year Developed1972

Scientific Data

Molecular Formula
C33H54N12O15 (apo-form)
Molecular Weight
857.85 g/mol (apo-form)
CAS Number
PubChem ID
Developer
Mireille Dardenne, Jean-François Bach (Institut Pasteur)

Mechanism of Action

Thymulin (Facteur Thymique Sérique / FTS) is a 9-amino-acid thymic peptide that requires zinc binding to be biologically active. It is produced by thymic epithelial cells and is a key mediator of T-cell differentiation and maturation, specifically promoting CD4/CD8 T-cell development and NK cell activity.

Thymulin levels decline markedly with age and zinc deficiency — both reduce immune competence. Thymulin supplementation (either as the peptide or via zinc repletion to restore endogenous activity) has been studied for immune senescence, cancer immunotherapy support, and inflammatory disease. It is a member of the Khavinson bioregulator peptide family, representing a complementary approach to Thymalin.

Source: PMID: 3299395

Background & History

Thymulin (FTS) was discovered by Jean-François Bach and Mireille Dardenne at Hôpital Necker in Paris (1977). It was the first — and remains the only — thymic hormone found in circulating blood. This makes it the immune system's equivalent of insulin or thyroxine: a measurable hormone that declines with age and whose deficiency has demonstrated clinical consequences. The discovery that thymulin requires zinc for biological activity (1980) was a landmark finding linking trace mineral nutrition to immune function.

Research Use Cases

  • Immune reconstitution after thymic involution
  • Zinc-thymulin immunotherapy research
  • Immunosenescence biomarker (serum levels indicate thymic function)
  • Anti-aging immune protocols targeting thymic restoration

Dosing Protocol

Typical Dose1-5 mg/day
Frequency1× daily for 10-30 day cycles
Half-Life~30 minutes (estimated)
Common Vial Sizes5 mg, 10 mg

Dosing Protocols

Immune Support Protocol

Dose
40 - 200 ng/kg
Frequency
Daily SC (research dosing)
Note: Extremely low doses (nanogram range). Zinc co-administration enhances biological activity. Based on research studies.

Body-Weight Dosing Reference

Estimated doses extrapolated from the published research range of 10005000 mcg/day (referenced to 70 kg / 154 lb). These are approximations — consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised guidance.

WeightLowTargetHigh
120 lb(54 kg)771 mcg2314 mcg3857 mcg
140 lb(63 kg)900 mcg2700 mcg4500 mcg
160 lb(73 kg)1043 mcg3129 mcg5214 mcg
180 lb(82 kg)1171 mcg3514 mcg5857 mcg
200 lb(91 kg)1300 mcg3900 mcg6500 mcg
220 lb(100 kg)1429 mcg4286 mcg7143 mcg
250 lb(113 kg)1614 mcg4843 mcg8071 mcg

💉 For exact syringe units based on your vial concentration, use the Thymulin Reconstitution Calculator →

Administration

Route
Subcutaneous injection
Timing
Morning. Ensure adequate zinc status.
Fasting Required?
No — food timing not critical

Expected Timeline

Week 1-4
Improved T-cell counts and NK cell activity in immunocompromised individuals.
Month 1-3
Improved immune function markers. Reduced infection frequency in elderly study populations.

Who Is It For?

Immune Senescence

Low

Restores thymic peptide signaling in aged immune systems. Works synergistically with zinc repletion.

T-Cell Immunology

Low

Mediates T-cell differentiation and maturation. Research-level use in cancer immunotherapy support.

Reconstitution Example

Vial
5 mg
Water
2.5 mL
Concentration
2 mg/mL
Per Unit (100u syringe)
20 mcg
Dose of 1000 mcg = 50 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe

Safety & Considerations

Research peptide. Active only when bound to zinc. Ensure zinc sufficiency for full activity. Very low doses used. No significant toxicity reported in research studies.

Regulatory & Legal Status

FDA Status (US)
Research Only
WADA Status (2026)
Not Listed

Not currently on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List. Policies may change — verify before competition.

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.

Interactions & Contraindications

REQUIRES zinc supplementation for biological activity — Zn-thymulin complex is the active form. May overstimulate immune system in autoimmune conditions. Not to be combined with immunosuppressive drugs without supervision. Well-characterized safety across decades of research.

Synergies & Common Stacks

Thymulin (circulating thymic hormone) + Thymalin (thymic polypeptide extract) provide complementary thymic support through different mechanisms — Thymulin acts systemically, Thymalin acts directly on thymic tissue.

Thymulin (immune hormone) + Vilon (synthetic thymic dipeptide bioregulator) target immune function through different molecular pathways — circulating hormone vs. epigenetic gene regulation.

Dosing Quick Reference

Thymulin— Dosing Guide
Dose Range
1-5 mg/day
Half-Life
~30 minutes (estimated)
Frequency
1× daily for 10-30 day cycles
Route
Subcutaneous
5 mg vial10 mg vial
💧 2.5 mL BAC water📐 2 mg/mL concentration💉 20 mcg/unit (100u syringe)
Immune & Thymiccalcmypeptide.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Does thymulin require zinc?
Yes — thymulin is biologically active only when bound to one zinc ion. Zinc deficiency renders thymulin inactive. Both peptide replacement and zinc optimization are required for full thymulin activity.
How does thymulin differ from thymalin?
Thymalin is a polypeptide extract from the full thymus gland (Khavinson protocol). Thymulin (FTS) is a single specific 9-AA thymic peptide with known structure. Thymulin has more specific T-cell differentiation activity; thymalin provides broader thymic peptide signaling.

References

  1. Dardenne M, Bach JF "Thymulin: a thymic factor for immune development".” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (1975). PMID: 1060378
Recommended SourceOral Bioregulator

Get Thymulin from Vita-Stream — the comprehensive distributor for authentic Khavinson bioregulators. Oral capsules, no injections required.

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