Growth Hormone · 10iu × 10 vials
In plain terms: HGH (Somatropin) is a research compound - injectable, fast-acting and well studied.
Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone, the 191-amino-acid polypeptide identical in sequence to the GH secreted by the anterior pituitary. Once injected subcutaneously it binds the growth hormone receptor (GHR, a class I cytokine receptor) on hepatocytes, adipocytes, muscle, and bone, dimerizes it, and activates the JAK2/STAT5 pathway. The primary downstream output is hepatic IGF-1 synthesis (insulin-like growth factor 1), which is the actual mediator of most of GH's anabolic effects on muscle, cartilage, and bone. Direct GHR signaling at the adipocyte triggers hormone-sensitive lipase and drives lipolysis, particularly of visceral adipose tissue, which is why HGH is one of the only compounds with hard evidence for selective deep belly fat loss. GH also opposes insulin's action at peripheral tissues (the "diabetogenic" effect), which is the mechanism behind the elevated fasting glucose seen at higher doses. Plasma half-life of injected somatropin is short at 2-3 hours, but the downstream IGF-1 elevation it triggers persists for roughly 24 hours (native circulating IGF-1 itself has a plasma half-life of ~12-15 hr bound to IGFBP-3, but the cumulative tissue IGF-1 signal from a daily HGH shot lasts a full day), which is why once-daily SubQ dosing produces sustained anabolic signaling despite GH itself clearing fast. Disambiguation note: do NOT confuse this with IGF-1 LR3 (the receptor-targeted long-acting analog PP sells as a separate SKU, half-life ~20-30 hr by IGFBP evasion) - when customers ask about "IGF-1 half-life" they usually mean LR3, which clears far slower than native IGF-1 and is dosed differently.
The key distinction from GHRH analogs (tesamorelin, CJC-1295, sermorelin) and GHRPs (ipamorelin, GHRP-2): HGH replaces GH directly rather than asking the pituitary to release more of its own. That means HGH overrides the natural negative feedback loop and pulse pattern, which gives stronger, more predictable effects at any given dose, but also means the body's own pulsatile GH secretion gets suppressed during use. This is why HGH is more potent for body composition than the secretagogues but carries a heavier side-effect profile (water retention, carpal tunnel, glucose elevation) at higher doses, and why GHRH/GHRP stacks like CJC+Ipamorelin are positioned as a softer alternative that preserves natural pulse physiology.
Typical dose ranges by experience level - educational reference. Message us and we tailor it to you.
1-2 IU is the anti-aging/sleep/skin band. Almost no side effects at this dose, the body composition changes are slow but cumulative, and IGF-1 stays in a safe range (well under 350 ng/ml typically). This is the dose for over-40 customers chasing recovery, sleep depth, skin quality, and gentle recomp. A 10 IU vial reconstituted with 1 ml BAC = 5 days of 2 IU dosing per vial; a 10-vial kit = ~50 days at 2 IU/day. Most beginners run a 10 IU kit, see results, then decide whether to step up.
3-4 IU is where most male customers running for body composition land. Lean body mass increases of 2-4 kg over 6 months are typical per community reads, visceral fat drops are noticeable on caliper or DEXA. Water retention and mild joint stiffness can show up in the first 2-4 weeks at this dose, usually settles. IGF-1 lands in the 250-350 ng/ml range. A 24 IU vial at 4 IU/day = 6 days per vial; a 10-vial 24 IU kit (H24) = 60 days, which is the most efficient kit size for this dose band. Pair with solid protein intake (1 g/lb bodyweight) - Jordan's repeated note is that protein is the limiting factor on HGH results.
5-8 IU is performance/bodybuilding territory. Lean mass gains are aggressive, visceral fat loss is significant, but side effects scale fast above 6 IU: carpal tunnel (numbness/tingling in hands, worst in morning), water retention (puffy face, ankle bloat), elevated fasting glucose (often into 100-110 mg/dl range from 85-90 baseline), and joint stiffness. Above 8 IU is rare in real-world use outside competitive bodybuilding - the side effect curve gets steep and IGF-1 climbs above the "safe" 400 ng/ml ceiling. Advanced users almost always pair with insulin sensitivity support (metformin 500-1000 mg/day is common, berberine works too) and check fasting glucose weekly. Jordan's threshold: under 10 IU run continuously for 1-2 years is generally fine, over 10 IU for extended periods is where you start feeling it.
Straight talk - what people actually report, and what the studies measured.
Peer-reviewed studies and clinical guidelines - tap any to read the source.
Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline, replacement dosing 0.2-0.4 mg/day initial
Read study ↗PubMedEffect of recombinant human growth hormone on body composition in healthy adults, Liu et al, Ann Intern Med 2007 (PMC1762038)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17239835/) - meta-analysis, lean mass +2.1 kg, fat mass −2.1 kg, edema/carpal tunnel/glucose intolerance signals
Read study ↗PubMedGrowth hormone, IGF-1 and aging, Bartke 2008 (PMC2839852)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2839852/) - review of GH in aging, longevity considerations, IGF-1/lifespan tradeoffs
Read study ↗PubMedVisceral adipose tissue reduction with GH replacement, Johannsson et al, JCEMselective visceral fat loss data in GHD adults
Read study ↗PubMedSleep architecture and growth hormone secretion, Van Cauter et alendogenous GH pulse during slow-wave sleep, mechanism behind AM-dosing rationale
Read study ↗PubMedCarpal tunnel syndrome in GH replacement therapy, J Clin Endocrinol Metabdose-dependent CTS incidence in GH replacement
Read study ↗Aggregated sentiment from public forums & socials - real-world reports, not individual endorsements.
Water retention: nearly universal at 4+ IU, manifests as "moon face" (puffy round face) and ankle/finger bloat; resolves within 4-6 weeks at stable dose or by dropping dose
Carpal tunnel: one of the most-discussed sides on r/Peptides and r/PEDs - numbness, tingling, pins-and-needles in hands waking up at night, fingers stiff in the morning. Reliably dose-related: minimal at 1-2 IU, noticeable at 3-4 IU, common at 5+ IU
Improved sleep depth / vivid dreams: massively reported positive effect, especially with AM dosing - deep slow-wave sleep increases, dream recall increases, users report waking more rested
Skin quality / "glow": 4-8 week effect, skin tightens, fine lines soften, scalp hair quality improves - heavily discussed in over-40 anti-aging community
Fasting glucose creep: users self-tracking with CGMs report fasting glucose rising 10-20 mg/dl above baseline at 4+ IU, mostly returns to normal post-cycle
IGF-1 numbers: community standard is to bloodwork IGF-1 at 6-8 weeks in to confirm dose response; 1 IU/day typically produces ~50-80 ng/ml rise in IGF-1, 4 IU/day produces ~150-250 ng/ml rise
Route: SubQ
Injection site: abdomen pinch (2 inches out from navel), outer thigh, or back of arm; rotate sites daily
Storage: refrigerated, 14-21 days after reconstitution (HGH is more degradation-sensitive than most peptides; do NOT keep reconstituted vials at room temp for more than a few hours)
Notes: AM fasted injection is the standard protocol - HGH naturally spikes during deep sleep, so injecting at night blunts the body's own overnight pulse and wastes the natural surge. Inject first thing on waking, wait 30-60 minutes before eating to keep insulin out of the way (insulin blunts GH signaling and IGF-1 conversion). Lyophilized powder ships in sealed glass vials; allow to reach room temp before reconstituting. Inject BAC water slowly down the side of the vial wall (not directly onto the powder cake), then swirl gently - never shake, because shaking denatures the protein. Use a fresh insulin syringe per draw.