Supplies Needed

Plan based on an 8–16 week daily protocol with gradual titration.

• Peptide Vials (IGF-1 LR3, 1 mg each):
  • 8 weeks ≈ 3 vials (~2.24 mg total needed)
  • 12 weeks ≈ 4 vials (~3.64 mg total needed)
  • 16 weeks ≈ 6 vials (~5.04 mg total needed)
• Insulin Syringes (U-100, 0.5 mL or 1 mL):
  • Per week: 7 syringes (1/day)
  • 8 weeks: 56 syringes
  • 12 weeks: 84 syringes
  • 16 weeks: 112 syringes
• Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
  • 8 weeks (3 vials): 9 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle
  • 12 weeks (4 vials): 12 mL → 2 × 10 mL bottles
  • 16 weeks (6 vials): 18 mL → 2 × 10 mL bottles
• Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
  • Per week: 14 swabs (2/day)
  • 8 weeks: 112 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
  • 12 weeks: 168 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
  • 16 weeks: 224 swabs → recommend 3 × 100-count boxes
• Sharps Container: For safe disposal of used needles and syringes^[5].
• Fast-acting carbohydrate source: Glucose tablets or juice on hand during cycle to address potential hypoglycemia symptoms, especially during dose titration^[6].

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Important Notes

Practical considerations for consistency, safety, and optimal outcomes.

• Sterile technique: Always use new, sterile insulin syringes for each injection; dispose immediately in a sharps container^[5]. Follow “one needle, one syringe, only one time” practice.
• Site rotation: Systematically rotate injection sites between abdomen (at least 2 inches from navel), outer thighs, and upper arms to reduce local irritation and prevent tissue hardening^[8].
• Injection technique: Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to prevent solution leakage.
• Hypoglycemia awareness: Be vigilant for signs of low blood sugar (shakiness, dizziness, sweating) especially during dose escalation; have fast-acting carbohydrates readily available^[6].
• Timing with meals: Administer with or shortly after food intake to mitigate insulin-like effects on blood glucose^[3].
• Documentation: Keep a daily log of dose, injection site, and any observed effects to maintain protocol consistency and identify tolerance patterns.
• Never exceed conservative dosing: Doses above 50–60 mcg/day lack robust clinical research support and may substantially increase adverse effect risk^[2].

How This Works

IGF-1 LR3 is a synthetic analog of human insulin-like growth factor-1 engineered with an N-terminal extension (13 amino acids) and a glutamic acid substitution at position 3, resulting in significantly reduced binding affinity to IGF binding proteins^[1]. This modification extends the peptide’s half-life from minutes (native IGF-1) to several hours and enhances systemic bioavailability^[2].

The extended circulation time allows for once-daily administration protocols in research settings. Unlike native IGF-1, which requires frequent dosing, IGF-1 LR3 maintains more stable plasma levels throughout the day^[11]. The peptide exhibits anabolic and metabolic activities through IGF-1 receptor binding, though it has never been approved for therapeutic human use and remains confined to research applications^[12].

Studies examining IGF-1 and its analogs demonstrate effects on cellular growth, protein synthesis, and metabolic regulation. The insulin-like properties of IGF-1 LR3 necessitate careful attention to blood glucose management, particularly during initial dosing and titration phases^[6].

Potential Benefits & Side Effects

Observations from preclinical and clinical literature on IGF-1 and its analogs.

Potential Research Observations:

• Enhanced anabolic signaling and protein synthesis in target tissues^[1].
• Extended bioavailability compared to native IGF-1 due to reduced binding protein interaction^[2].
• Metabolic effects through IGF-1 receptor pathways.

Important Safety Considerations:

• Hypoglycemia risk: The most significant concern with IGF-1 LR3 is its insulin-like effect on blood glucose; symptoms may include shakiness, confusion, sweating, or dizziness^[6]. Always administer with food and monitor for glucose-related symptoms.
• No FDA approval: IGF-1 LR3 has never received regulatory approval for human therapeutic use and is restricted to research applications^[12].
• Injection site reactions: Mild local irritation, redness, or discomfort may occur; proper technique and site rotation minimize these effects^[8].
• Dose-dependent effects: Safety concerns increase substantially at doses exceeding 50–60 mcg/day; conservative dosing protocols are strongly recommended^[2].
• Receptor desensitization: Continuous use beyond 6–8 weeks may lead to diminished response; cycling protocols (e.g., 8 weeks on, 4–8 weeks off) are commonly employed^[7].

Lifestyle Factors

Complementary strategies to support research protocol outcomes.

• Nutrition: Maintain adequate protein intake (1.6–2.2 g/kg body weight) to support anabolic processes; ensure regular meal timing to manage blood glucose stability.
• Training: Combine resistance training protocols with appropriate recovery periods; IGF-1 signaling pathways are activated by mechanical loading.
• Sleep & Recovery: Prioritize 7–9 hours of quality sleep nightly to optimize endogenous growth factor production and tissue repair processes.
• Hydration: Maintain consistent hydration status to support metabolic function and peptide distribution.
• Glucose monitoring: Consider periodic blood glucose checks during dose titration, especially if experiencing any hypoglycemic symptoms.

Injection Technique

Subcutaneous injection guidance based on clinical best practices^[13][14].

Preparation:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Clean the vial stopper with an alcohol swab; allow to air dry completely.
• Ensure the reconstituted solution is clear with no visible particles; discard if cloudy^[10].
• Draw the calculated dose into a sterile insulin syringe (29–31 gauge, ½ inch or 5/16 inch needle).
• Remove air bubbles by gently tapping the syringe and pushing plunger until solution is at the correct measurement.

Injection Procedure:

• Site selection: Choose areas with adequate subcutaneous fat—abdomen (2+ inches from navel), outer thighs, upper arms, or upper outer buttocks^[8].
• Clean injection site: Swab with alcohol and allow to dry completely (do not fan or blow on site).
• Pinch technique: Gently pinch a fold of skin between thumb and forefinger to ensure subcutaneous placement^[13].
• Needle insertion: Insert needle at 45–90° angle into the pinched skin fold (45° for thin individuals; up to 90° for those with more subcutaneous fat)^[13][14].
• Injection: Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections^[13]; slowly depress plunger to inject peptide solution over 2–3 seconds.
• Withdrawal: Remove needle at the same angle it entered; apply gentle pressure with a clean cotton ball or swab (do not rub vigorously).
• Disposal: Immediately place used syringe/needle in a sharps container without recapping^[5].

Site Rotation Strategy:

• Maintain a rotation pattern across multiple sites (e.g., left abdomen → right abdomen → left thigh → right thigh).
• Never inject into the exact same spot within 1–2 weeks; allow tissue recovery time.
• Avoid areas with scar tissue, moles, or skin irritation.
• Keep a simple rotation log to track injection sites and maintain systematic coverage.