IGF-1 DES Dosing Calculator
IGF-1 DES: Truncated high-potency growth factor.
Pre-filled with the most-reported community reconstitution protocol for IGF-1 DES. See how 1 mL and 2 mL of bacteriostatic water change concentration and syringe-draw volume, then adjust the calculator below for your own vial.
Quick answer · Community-reported standard
A 5 mg vial of IGF-1 DES reconstituted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water yields a concentration of 2.50 mg/mL. At that concentration, a 50 mcg dose of IGF-1 DES equals 2 units on a U-100 insulin syringe (0.020 mL). IGF-1 DES is typically administered once daily via intramuscular (site-specific).
IGF-1 DES reconstitution: 1 mL vs 2 mL bac water
Bacteriostatic water volume is flexible. Less water means higher concentration and smaller injection volumes; more water means lower concentration and easier dose precision. Both options below are valid for a 5 mg vial.
| BAC water added | Concentration | Volume per 50 mcg dose | Draw on U-100 syringe (units) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 5.00 mg/mL | 0.010 mL | 1 units |
| 2 mL | 2.50 mg/mL | 0.020 mL | 2 units |
Calculate your IGF-1 DES dose
Alternative IGF-1 DES protocols
Beyond the default above, IGF-1 DES is also reported in the following protocols. Use these as starting points and recalculate with the tool above.
Post-Workout Protocol
Community- Dose
- 50-100 mcg
- Frequency
- Immediately post-workout
- Duration
- 4-6 weeks
- Route
- Intramuscular or Subcutaneous
Injected within 15 minutes after training; combined with post-workout nutrition to manage blood sugar
Conservative Protocol
Community- Dose
- 20-50 mcg
- Frequency
- Once daily on training days
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Route
- Subcutaneous
Lower-dose SubQ approach for beginners; reduced hypoglycemia risk compared to higher IM doses
Lagging Body Part Protocol
Community- Dose
- 25-50 mcg per muscle group
- Frequency
- Training days for target muscles
- Duration
- 4-6 weeks
- Route
- Intramuscular (site-specific)
Focused injection into underdeveloped muscle groups; based on site-specific growth theory
Cell culture - proliferation assays
Clinical- Dose
- 1-100 ng/mL in culture medium
- Frequency
- Added at medium change or as single pulse
- Duration
- 24-72 hours per experiment
Typical EC50 for proliferation in responsive cell lines is 1-10 ng/mL, approximately 10-fold lower than native IGF-1.
Cell culture - differentiation studies
Clinical- Dose
- 10-100 ng/mL in culture medium
- Frequency
- Added at medium changes throughout differentiation period
- Duration
- Variable, typically 5-14 days for myogenic differentiation
Higher concentrations often used for differentiation protocols. Replaced at each medium change due to degradation in conditioned media.
IGF-1 DES reconstitution & storage
Reconstitute lyophilized IGF-1 DES in sterile water, 0.1M acetic acid, or PBS at pH 7.4. Typical stock concentrations of 100-1000 micrograms/mL. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Aliquot upon reconstitution.
Lyophilized powder: store at -20C or below, stable for months. Reconstituted solution: store at 4C for short-term use (up to 1 week) or aliquot and store at -20C to -80C for longer storage. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
IGF-1 DES dosing FAQ
How much bacteriostatic water should I add to a 5 mg vial of IGF-1 DES?
The community standard is 1 mL of bacteriostatic water for a 5 mg IGF-1 DES vial. That gives a concentration of 2.50 mg/mL, so a 50 mcg dose is 2 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. Adding 1 mL instead doubles the concentration to 5.00 mg/mL and halves the draw to 1 units. Less water = smaller injection volume but harder to measure precisely.
How many syringe units is a 50 mcg dose of IGF-1 DES?
On a standard U-100 insulin syringe, a 50 mcg dose of IGF-1 DES is 2 units when the 5 mg vial is reconstituted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water (2.50 mg/mL). If you use 1 mL of bac water instead, draw 1 units (5.00 mg/mL).
What is the standard IGF-1 DES dose?
Community-reported protocols for IGF-1 DES typically use 50 mcg–100 mcg once daily via Intramuscular (site-specific). 50 mcg is a common starting dose. Injected 10-15 minutes pre-workout into muscles to be trained. Split dose across target muscle groups.
How long does a vial of IGF-1 DES last at 50 mcg once daily?
A 5 mg vial of IGF-1 DES contains roughly 100 doses at 50 mcg per injection. At once daily dosing, that is approximately 100 days (about 14 weeks) of supply per vial. Reconstituted IGF-1 DES should generally be used within 28 days when refrigerated.
Where do you inject IGF-1 DES?
IGF-1 DES is typically administered intramuscular (site-specific). Common subcutaneous sites are the lower abdomen (at least an inch from the navel), the outer thigh, and the love handles. Rotate sites with each injection to reduce localized irritation and bruising.
Can I use sterile water instead of bacteriostatic water for IGF-1 DES?
Bacteriostatic water (containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative) is strongly preferred for multi-dose vials like IGF-1 DES because it inhibits microbial growth and lets a single vial be used over multiple weeks. Sterile water has no preservative and should generally be reserved for single-use preparations only.
More on IGF-1 DES
IGF-1 DES overview
Mechanism of action, primary uses, and research summary
IGF-1 DES dosing protocols
Full clinical and research-based dosing reference
IGF-1 DES community protocols
Real-world usage patterns from peptide communities
IGF-1 DES side effects
Reported adverse effects and safety considerations
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Medical Disclaimer
This website is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any peptide or supplement.