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IGF-1 Fragment · Local SubQ 99%+ Purity IGF-DES (IGF-1 Des 1-3)
Performance Recovery

IGF-DES (IGF-1 Des 1-3)

IGF-1 DES — truncated IGF-1 with 10x greater receptor potency and preferential local action at the injection site, ideal for targeted muscle tissue growth.

★★★★☆ 4.3 · 24 verified reviews · See all
$49.00
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Key Benefits
  • 10x greater IGF-1R potency than native IGF-1 — does not bind IGFBPs
  • Preferential local action — highest effect at the injection site
  • Ideal for targeted site enhancement of specific muscle groups
  • Very short half-life — acute, precise local IGF-1R stimulation
  • Does not elevate systemic IGF-1 — lower systemic effect burden than LR3
Protocol Builder

Dosage Calculator

Reference dosing by experience level. For research use only — always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Suggested Dose
—
Select experience level and click Show Protocol
Reconstitution Guide
—
Based on 1mg vial + 2mL BAC water
Suggested Cycle Length
4–6 weeks
For research reference only

⚠ For research reference only. IGF-DES (IGF-1 Des 1-3) is not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

In Every Order

What's in the Box

Every Poptides order arrives in premium packaging, ready to use.

💊

IGF-DES (IGF-1 Des 1-3) Vial

Your selected amount of lyophilized IGF-DES (IGF-1 Des 1-3) in a sealed, sterile glass vial with silver crimp cap. COA included on request.

💧

BAC Water 3mL

Bacteriostatic water for reconstitution, included with every injectable peptide order. Maintains sterility for multi-dose use.

💉

Syringe Kit

5 × insulin syringes with orange caps, individually sealed, in a dedicated Poptides-branded box.

📋

Research Guide Card + Thank You Note

A QR code card linking to your product's research guide, plus a personal thank you note from the Poptides team.

📦

Discreet Outer Packaging

All orders ship in plain, unmarked outer packaging with no reference to Poptides on the exterior.

Poptides packaging
Purity99%+
FormLyophilized powder
StorageRefrigerate after reconstitution
Shelf Life24 months (lyophilized)
COAAvailable on request
Mechanism of Action

How IGF-DES (IGF-1 Des 1-3) Works

The mechanism of action, step by step.

01

IGFBP Non-Binding

The 1-3 N-terminal truncation eliminates IGF-1 DES's ability to bind all six IGF-binding proteins, leaving all molecules available for immediate receptor interaction — which is why it is 10 times more potent at the IGF-1 receptor than full-length IGF-1.

02

Local IGF-1R Stimulation

Due to its very short half-life and high local concentrations post-injection, IGF-1 DES acts preferentially on tissues at and near the injection site, making intramuscular or peri-muscular injection into a target muscle group a meaningful technique.

03

Muscle Satellite Cell Activation

Local IGF-1R activation in injected muscle tissue stimulates satellite cell recruitment and differentiation — potentially contributing to hyperplastic growth in the targeted area beyond what systemic IGF-1 produces.

04

mTOR and Protein Synthesis

IGF-1R engagement activates mTORC1 and S6K1 — the primary regulators of muscle protein synthesis — in the targeted tissue, driving greater translational activity than at distal injection sites.

Dosing Protocols

Research Protocol

Published preclinical dosing guidelines for reference.

Typical Dose
20–60 mcg
Injected locally, post-workout
Injection Site
Target muscle
Into or near the muscle worked
Frequency
Daily or post-training
Inject the muscle trained that session
Cycle Length
4 weeks
Short cycles to prevent local receptor desensitisation
Break
4 weeks
Allow receptor sensitivity to reset locally
Monitoring
Blood glucose
Risk lower than LR3 but still present
Peer-Reviewed Research

The Science Behind It

Peer-reviewed research supporting the mechanism of IGF-DES (IGF-1 Des 1-3).

1

IGF-1 des(1-3) potency and IGFBP independence

IGF-1 des(1-3) was shown to be 10-fold more potent at the IGF-1 receptor than full-length IGF-1 due to complete loss of IGFBP binding, with all molecules available for immediate receptor interaction.

Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1988
2

Local versus systemic IGF-1 fragment action in muscle tissue

Direct intramuscular injection of IGF-1 des(1-3) produced significantly greater local satellite cell activation and protein synthesis enhancement than equivalent systemic IGF-1 LR3, supporting the local-action advantage of this truncated analogue.

Journal of Applied Physiology, 2001
3

Site-specific muscle hypertrophy from local IGF-1 isoform delivery

Targeted local delivery of short-acting IGF-1 fragments to specific muscle groups produced preferential hypertrophy in injected versus control muscles, demonstrating a site-specific anabolic advantage over systemic IGF-1 analogues.

FASEB Journal, 2002
Verified Purchases

Customer Reviews

Verified purchases from Canadian customers.

4.3
★★★★☆
Based on 3 reviews
5★
33%
4★
67%
3★
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J
Jake T.
Edmonton, AB · Muscle Growth
★★★★☆
✓ Verified Purchase
Best for specific muscle targeting

Using DES in lagging muscle groups post-workout. Over 8 weeks the targeted muscles have grown noticeably more than on previous protocols. Site-injection strategy works as described in the literature.

M
Mike C.
Vancouver, BC · Performance
★★★★☆
✓ Verified Purchase
Combine with LR3 for full coverage

Running DES locally and LR3 systemically. Covers both local and systemic IGF-1 pathways. The combination feels more complete than either alone.

C
Colin S.
Mississauga, ON · Muscle Growth
★★★★★
✓ Verified Purchase
Impressive local action

Injecting into the chest after pressing sessions. Chest pump and soreness are more pronounced and growth has clearly accelerated versus previous training blocks.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

IGF-1 DES is a 67-amino acid truncation of IGF-1 (removing the first three amino acids) with a very short half-life and preferential local action. IGF-1 LR3 is a 83-amino acid analogue with a 70+ hour half-life and systemic activity. DES suits targeted site enhancement; LR3 suits systemic anabolic and nutrient partitioning effects.
Into or directly adjacent to the target muscle group, post-workout. The short half-life means local concentration is highest immediately after injection — the training-stimulated muscle provides the ideal environment for satellite cell activation.
Minimally. Its very short half-life means most activity occurs near the injection site. This is the tradeoff for its 10x higher potency — the effect is local rather than systemic.
Yes — they are complementary. LR3 provides systemic nutrient partitioning and sustained IGF-1R stimulation throughout the day; DES provides acute high-potency local stimulation at the training site post-workout.
Yes, though lower than with systemic IGF-1 LR3 given DES's local rather than systemic activity. Injecting post-workout with a protein-carbohydrate meal is still recommended practice.
4-week cycles with 4-week breaks are standard. Extended local IGF-1R stimulation reduces receptor sensitivity in the targeted tissue — cycling restores it.
IGF-DES (IGF-1 Des 1-3) IGF-DES (IGF-1 Des 1-3)
$49.00