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Growth Hormone Axis
The only GHRH analog FDA-approved today, and only to reduce excess belly fat in HIV lipodystrophy.
Growth Hormone Axis
A long-acting lab version of IGF-1, the hormone growth hormone works through.
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved and rated 5/5 for evidence; IGF-1 LR3 is not FDA-approved and rated 1/5. Tesamorelin has more human evidence behind it. Both are banned in sport by WADA. Both are used for growth hormone axis goals.
| Compare | Tesamorelin The only GHRH analog FDA-approved today, and only to reduce excess belly fat in HIV lipodystrophy. | IGF-1 LR3 A long-acting lab version of IGF-1, the hormone growth hormone works through. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Growth Hormone Axis | Growth Hormone Axis |
| Evidence | 5/5Phase 3 RCTs in HIV lipodystrophy led to FDA approval; off-label populations less studied. | 1/5Developed as a cell-culture reagent. No human clinical trials of LR3. Human data exists only for the approved native IGF-1 drug (mecasermin), a different product. |
| FDA status | FDA-approved (Egrifta, 2010) | Not FDA-approved |
| WADA (sport) | Banned | Banned |
| Also known as | Egrifta, TH9507 | Long R3 IGF-1, Long Arg3 IGF-1, LR3-IGF-1 |
| How it works | Stimulates pituitary GH release through the GHRH receptor, raising IGF-1 and reducing visceral adipose tissue while preserving the natural pulse pattern. | Activates the IGF-1 receptor, which drives cell growth, protein building and glucose uptake. Because it largely escapes IGF-binding proteins, more of it stays free and active than with native IGF-1. |
| Half-life | About 25–40 minutes | Longer than native IGF-1 (often quoted as about 20–30 hours); not well studied in humans |
| Commonly reported doses |
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| Route | Subcutaneous, abdomen | Subcutaneous or intramuscular |
| Good once mixed | ~14 days in the fridge | ~21 days in the fridge |
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| Lowest research-listing price per mg | $4.20 (10 mg vial, 40% off) | $41.99 (1 mg vial, 40% off) |
| Latest lab purity | 99.61% (lot TES0003) | 99.03% (lot IGF0002) |
Want a third? Add another peptide. Doses are commonly reported ranges, not recommendations.
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Tesamorelin is FDA-approved and rated 5/5 for evidence; IGF-1 LR3 is not FDA-approved and rated 1/5. Tesamorelin has more human evidence behind it. Both are banned in sport by WADA. Both are used for growth hormone axis goals.
Tesamorelin: FDA-approved (Egrifta, 2010). IGF-1 LR3: Not FDA-approved. Regulations change, so confirm with the FDA.
Tesamorelin is rated 5 out of 5: Phase 3 RCTs in HIV lipodystrophy led to FDA approval; off-label populations less studied. IGF-1 LR3 is rated 1 out of 5: Developed as a cell-culture reagent. No human clinical trials of LR3. Human data exists only for the approved native IGF-1 drug (mecasermin), a different product. The scale is explained on our methodology page.
Tesamorelin is banned by WADA, by name or as part of a named class. IGF-1 LR3 is banned by WADA, by name or as part of a named class.