What are the side effects of IGF-1 DES?
The most commonly reported IGF-1 DES side effects are hypoglycemia risk (less than LR3 but real), localized growth at injection site, headache. Most are mild and tend to be dose dependent. It is generally avoided with active malignancy. Human clinical evidence for IGF-1 DES is limited, so this reflects reported and observed effects, not a complete safety profile.
Reported IGF-1 DES side effects
- Hypoglycemia risk (less than LR3 but real)
- Localized growth at injection site
- Headache
Who should avoid it
- Active malignancy
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Pregnancy / nursing
Bloodwork worth tracking
- Fasting glucose every 2 weeks
- IGF-1 baseline
References
- Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and especially IGF-I variants are anabolic in dexamethasone-treated rats — Tomas FM, Knowles SE, Owens PC, et al., Biochemical Journal, 1992
- Mechanisms of IGF-1-Mediated Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy and Atrophy — Yoshida T & Delafontaine P, Cells, 2020
Pepdex is an editorial reference, not medical advice. Peptides vary in legal and approval status by country, many are research compounds without full human safety data. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting anything.
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Last updated 2026-06-06.