IGF-1 DES

What people use it for

• Localised muscle growth (popular use)
• Cell-culture research

What IGF-1 DES does in the body

IGF-1 missing its first three amino acids. This stops it binding well to the proteins that normally carry and restrain IGF-1, so it acts more strongly but for a much shorter time than ordinary IGF-1.

Strength of evidence

Very weak: cell and animal research only; no human trials.

Look up the evidence

• Reviews on PubMed: Summaries of the published research
• Clinical trials on PubMed: Published studies in people
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Registered trials, past and ongoing

Live searches of official databases. New to the terms? See the glossary.

Reported side effects & risks

• Low blood sugar
• Unknown long-term effects
• Theoretical concern about promoting cancer growth, as with other IGF-1 products

Who should avoid it or take extra care

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Under 18
• Current or past cancer (it may promote cell growth; theoretical)
• Diabetes or a tendency to low blood sugar
• Competitive athletes (prohibited by WADA)

Not a complete list. Check with a doctor or pharmacist about your own health and medicines.

Regulatory status

Not approved. Prohibited in sport by WADA (growth factors).

How it's taken

Route: Injection (popular use)

How long it lasts (half-life): Minutes (short-acting)

Storage

Unreconstituted (powder) vials are usually kept refrigerated or frozen and away from light. Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, keep refrigerated and do not freeze; follow the supplier's stated beyond-use date.