Comparison
IGF-1 DES vs IGF-1 LR3
Both are IGF & growth factors, so the meaningful differences are in kinetics, evidence and regulatory status.
| IGF-1 DES | IGF-1 LR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | IGF & growth factors | IGF & growth factors |
| Evidence | Animal models only | Animal models only |
| Human trials | None published | None published |
| Half-life | ~20-30 minutes | ~20-30 hours |
| Reported range | 50-150 mcg | 20-50 mcg |
| Frequency | Once daily, peri-workout | Once daily |
| Routes | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular |
| FDA approved | No | No |
| Research use only | Yes | Yes |
| Banned in sport | Yes | Yes |
| Studied for | Localised hypertrophy research, Satellite cell studies | Muscle hypertrophy research, Cell-culture growth supplement, Recovery |
| Reported side effects | Hypoglycaemia, Injection-site reactions, Headache | Hypoglycaemia, Injection-site swelling, Headache, Jaw pain |
IGF-1 DES
IGF-1 DES lacks the N-terminal tripeptide glycine-proline-glutamate, a deletion that greatly reduces binding-protein affinity while increasing intrinsic receptor potency. The result is a compound reported as around tenfold more potent than native IGF-1 but cleared within roughly half an hour. That kinetic profile is the basis for its use in localised post-training protocols rather than systemic ones.
IGF-1 LR3
IGF-1 LR3 substitutes arginine for glutamic acid at position 3 and adds a 13-residue N-terminal extension. The position-3 substitution sharply reduces affinity for IGF binding proteins, so a much larger fraction remains free and active in circulation, extending the functional half-life from minutes to more than a day. It activates the IGF-1 receptor to drive protein synthesis, satellite-cell proliferation and hyperplasia, and it also has appreciable affinity for the insulin receptor, which accounts for its hypoglycaemic effect.
IGF-1 DES vs IGF-1 LR3: common questions
What is the difference between IGF-1 DES and IGF-1 LR3?
Both are IGF & growth factors. IGF-1 DES: A truncated IGF-1 variant missing the first three residues, roughly ten times more potent than native IGF-1 but very short-acting. IGF-1 LR3: An IGF-1 analog modified to evade binding proteins, giving it far longer activity than native IGF-1.
Which has stronger evidence, IGF-1 DES or IGF-1 LR3?
They sit at the same evidence level: animal models only. IGF-1 DES has about 0 human studies and IGF-1 LR3 about 0.
Are IGF-1 DES and IGF-1 LR3 FDA approved?
Neither is FDA approved for any indication.
References
Regulatory and primary sources
- WADA Prohibited List ↗ · current year
- FDA: Unapproved drugs and "research use only" products ↗ · regulatory status of non-approved products
- CAS Registry Number 946870-92-4 ↗ · chemical identity
Published literature
- Vitamin D and benign prostatic hyperplasia -- a review.Can J Urol 2013.PubMed 23930605
- The role of the insulin-like growth factor system in the developing brain.Horm Res 1998.PubMed 9554468 · doi:10.1159/000053066
- Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-3 inhibits type 1 IGF receptor activation independently of its IGF binding affinity.Endocrinology 2001.PubMed 11145572 · doi:10.1210/endo.142.1.7915
- Classification of the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins into three distinct categories according to their binding specificities.Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1988.PubMed 2973786 · doi:10.1016/s0006-291x(88)80032-9
- Regulation of myeloid growth and differentiation by the insulin-like growth factor I receptor.Endocrinology 1997.PubMed 8977425 · doi:10.1210/endo.138.1.4847
- Necdin-E2F4 interaction provides insulin-sensitizing effect after weight loss induced by gastric bypass surgery.Surg Obes Relat Dis 2013.PubMed 22138333 · doi:10.1016/j.soard.2011.10.014
- Myogenin protein stability is decreased by BMP-2 through a mechanism implicating Id1.J Biol Chem 2004.PubMed 15322112 · doi:10.1074/jbc.M408059200
- Enforced epithelial expression of IGF-1 causes hyperplastic prostate growth while negative selection is requisite for spontaneous metastogenesis.Oncogene 2008.PubMed 18026134 · doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210943
- Recombinant expression of IGF-1 and LR3 IGF-1 fused with xylanase in Pichia pastoris.Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023.PubMed 37261455 · doi:10.1007/s00253-023-12606-0
- IGF-1 has plaque-stabilizing effects in atherosclerosis by altering vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype.Am J Pathol 2011.PubMed 21281823 · doi:10.1016/j.ajpath.2010.10.007
- Novel insulin-like growth factor-methotrexate covalent conjugate inhibits tumor growth in vivo at lower dosage than methotrexate alone.Transl Res 2009.PubMed 19446281 · doi:10.1016/j.trsl.2009.02.005
- Intranasal long R3 insulin-like growth factor-1 treatment promotes amyloid plaque remodeling in cerebral cortex but fails to preserve cognitive function in male 5XFAD mice.J Alzheimers Dis 2025.PubMed 39610283 · doi:10.1177/13872877241299056
- The emerging landscape of performance-enhancing peptides modulating GH-IGF1 axis: bridging the gap between clinical evidence and patient self-administration.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2026.PubMed 42395176 · doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1822475
- Involvement of insulin-like growth factor-1 and its binding proteins in proliferation and differentiation of murine bone marrow-derived macrophage precursors.Endocrine 1998.PubMed 9867252 · doi:10.1385/ENDO:9:2:185
Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.