IGF-1 DES(1,3) vs IGF-1 LR3
Two IGF-1 analogs engineered to slip past the same binding-protein brake, one by subtracting mass and one by adding it; the real difference is duration, not evidence.
IGF-1 DES(1,3)
A truncated IGF-1 that escapes its binding proteins, so it's more potent in cells and animals — but there are zero human muscle trials, and the IGF-axis cancer concern applies.
Full IGF-1 DES(1,3) evidence reviewIGF-1 LR3
An engineered long-acting IGF-1 with zero human muscle-building trials; the risks (hypoglycemia, the growth-factor/cancer concern, a WADA ban) follow straight from the biology.
Full IGF-1 LR3 evidence reviewSide by side
| IGF-1 DES(1,3) | IGF-1 LR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Marketed for | Local muscle growth | Muscle growth |
| Evidence grade | Preclinical / minimal | Preclinical / minimal |
| Family | GH axis | GH axis |
| Regulatory status | Not FDA-approved | Not FDA-approved |
| How it's obtained | Research-only | Research-only |
| Key human source | Ballard, Int J Biochem Cell Biol 1996 | Watts, Int J Epidemiol 2023 |
marks a row where the two differ. Evidence grades come from our evidence matrix, which grades each molecule on the human data for the use it is marketed for.
Our verdict
There is no evidence winner here, because neither has any. Both are research-only IGF-1 analogs with zero controlled human trials for muscle, recovery, or performance; the entire case for each rests on cell and animal potency. DES(1,3) is IGF-1 with its first three amino acids clipped off, which weakens binding-protein affinity and leaves it short-acting, the basis of the site-specific pitch; LR3 reaches the same escape by adding an arginine substitution plus a 13-residue extension, making it long-acting and systemic. Both carry the same mechanistic risks, insulin-like hypoglycemia and the IGF-axis cancer concern, and both are prohibited at all times in sport under WADA; neither is an approved or prescribable product.
IGF-1 DES(1,3) fits if
Read the DES page if you want to understand how a three-residue truncation changes potency and clearance, and why a short half-life is a pharmacologic property rather than proof of a local muscle effect.
IGF-1 LR3 fits if
Read the LR3 page if the question is what a deliberately long-acting, systemic IGF-1 signal means, including that LR3 was built as a laboratory cell-culture reagent, not a therapeutic for injection into people.
Where to get it
Where to get peptide therapy
Clinician-led telehealth services that prescribe compounded peptides. The specific peptides offered vary by provider — confirm IGF-1 DES(1,3) availability before ordering.
