PubMed
Des(1-3)IGF-I: a truncated form of insulin-like growth factor-I
Ballard et al., 1996
GH SecretagoguesResearch Only — Preclinical EvidenceA
IGF-1 DES
des(1-3)IGF-1 / Truncated IGF-1
IGF-1 DES (des(1-3)IGF-1) is a truncated 67-amino-acid analog of insulin-like growth factor-1 missing the N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu tripeptide. Reduced IGF-binding protein affinity leaves more free peptide for IGF-1 receptor activation, yielding roughly 2–10× potency vs native IGF-1 in preclinical assays — but a very short ~20–30 minute half-life. Evidence is almost entirely animal/cell literature; not FDA-approved.
Observational report only — modeled community data. Not medical advice. Does not recommend doses, protocols, or treatments.
- Studies cited
- 10
- Research grade
- A
- Experience
- 70
- Activity
- 68
Overall check-ins
Trackers & reports
Overview
About IGF-1 DES
IGF-1 DES (des(1-3)IGF-1) is a truncated 67-amino-acid analog of insulin-like growth factor-1 missing the N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu tripeptide. Reduced IGF-binding protein affinity leaves more free peptide for IGF-1 receptor activation, yielding roughly 2–10× potency vs native IGF-1 in preclinical assays — but a very short ~20–30 minute half-life. Evidence is almost entirely animal/cell literature; not FDA-approved.
- Category
- GH Secretagogues
- Regulatory status
- Research Only — Preclinical Evidence
- Also known as
- des(1-3)IGF-1 / Truncated IGF-1
- Self-reports
- 2,337
Community
What 2,337 users report
2337 community reports
Overall experience
From check-in ratings — separate from side effects logged below. Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Favorable 51% · Mixed 32% · Unfavorable overall 17%
Most reported benefits
Benefits users selected when logging a favorable or mixed check-in.
Skin appearance
48
Appetite control
39
Energy
127
Mood
93
Focus
112
Most logged side effects
Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Headache
144
GI discomfort
118
Dizziness
92
Fatigue
89
Nausea
111
Self-reported dose per injection
Median bucket: 0.4–0.6 mg · Most common: 0.2–0.4 mg
Reports span 0.05–2 mg
0.05–0.1 mg
7
0.1–0.2 mg
15
0.2–0.4 mg
18
0.4–0.6 mg
14
0.6–1 mg
8
1–2 mg
2
Anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users — not prescribing guidance. Buckets group similar logged amounts; open-ended top buckets mean “at least” that dose.
Commonly stacked with
Common discussion topics
timing21stacking19side effects17igf-1 des20
How repeat users are trending
Among repeat reporters, 61% said they felt similar to their last entry, 43% more positive, and 21% more negative.
Overall, repeat reporters leaned more positive than their previous entry.
Median gap between entries: 23 days · Based on 514 repeat reporters
Community charts use modeled aggregates when live Supabase snapshots are unavailable.
Research
Cited research (6)
Source
PubMed
Enhanced potency of truncated insulin-like growth factor-I (des(1-3)IGF-I) relative to IGF-I in lit/lit mice
Gillespie et al., 1990
PubMed
In vivo actions of IGF analogues with poor affinities for IGFBPs: metabolic and growth effects in pigs of different ages and GH responsiveness
Walton et al., 1995
PubMed
IGF-I variants which bind poorly to IGF-binding proteins show more potent and prolonged hypoglycaemic action than native IGF-I in pigs and marmoset monkeys
Tomas et al., 1997
PubMed
Insulin-like growth factor-I and its N-terminal modified analogues induce marked gut growth in dexamethasone-treated rats
Read et al., 1992
ClinicalTrials.gov
des(1-3)IGF-1 / IGF-1 DES studies on ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov, 2024
Tools
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Frequently asked
What do PeptIQ users report about IGF-1 DES?
This page summarizes 2,337 anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users who track IGF-1 DES, including commonly reported effects and co-tracked peptides. These are observational patterns, not clinical outcomes.
How do side effects relate to overall experience for IGF-1 DES?
PeptIQ separates overall check-in ratings (favorable, mixed, or unfavorable) from logged side effects like nausea or fatigue. Users often report benefits and side effects in the same check-in — a high experience score does not mean zero side effects were noted.
What research is cited for IGF-1 DES?
6 sources are linked on this page, including PubMed articles, clinical trial registries, and FDA labels where applicable. Citations describe published research — not recommendations.
Is IGF-1 DES safe to use?
This wiki does not assess safety or recommend use. IGF-1 DES is listed as Research Only — Preclinical Evidence. Consult a licensed clinician for personal medical decisions.
What are the purported benefits and uses of IGF-1 DES?
Research, primarily in animal models, suggests IGF-1 DES may have a wide range of therapeutic potentials due to its ability to promote angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), stimulate collagen synthesis, and modulate inflammatory responses.
SourceWhat is the legal status of IGF-1 DES?
IGF-1 DES is not approved by the FDA for any human use. There is no legal basis for selling it as a drug, food, or dietary supplement in the United States. The FDA has classified IGF-1 DES as a Category 2 bulk drug substance, which explicitly prohibits licensed compounding pharmacies from using it in compounded medications.
SourceWhat are the known or theoretical side effects and risks of IGF-1 DES?
The safety and effectiveness of IGF-1 DES have not been thoroughly evaluated in humans through rigorous clinical trials. This lack of human data means that safe dosages, short-term side effects, and long-term health consequences are largely unknown.
SourceWhat is the current state of research on IGF-1 DES?
While there are over 200 published studies on IGF-1 DES, the vast majority are animal or in vitro (cell) studies. These preclinical studies consistently show positive results across various tissue types. However, there is a significant lack of comprehensive human clinical trial data.
Source