IGF-1 LR3

Growth factor analog · Also known as Long R3 IGF-1, Long Arg3 IGF-1

What is IGF-1 LR3?

A modified version of insulin-like growth factor 1 with a longer half-life and greater potency than native IGF-1. It promotes muscle growth, recovery, and nutrient uptake.

IGF-1 LR3 is an 83-amino-acid synthetic analog of human IGF-1. It has an arginine substituted at position 3 and 13 additional amino acids at the N-terminus, reducing its affinity for IGF-binding proteins and making it roughly three times more potent than native IGF-1.

Key takeaway: IGF-1 LR3 is a long-acting growth factor analog roughly three times more potent than native IGF-1, primarily studied for muscle hypertrophy and tissue repair.

Benefits & evidence

Muscle growth Moderate confidence
Recovery Moderate confidence
Fat metabolism Preliminary confidence

How it works

IGF-1 LR3 binds to the IGF-1 receptor on cell surfaces, activating the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling cascades. These pathways promote protein synthesis, inhibit protein degradation, and stimulate satellite cell proliferation in muscle tissue.

Because its structural modifications reduce binding to IGF-binding proteins, more of the peptide remains free and active in circulation. This gives it a half-life of 20 to 30 hours compared to about 15 minutes for native IGF-1.

Dosing information

Typical dosing protocol
Starting dose

20-50 mcg/day

Weeks 1-2
Maintenance dose

50-100 mcg/day

4-6 week cycles

Typically administered subcutaneously. Cycle length is important due to IGF-1 receptor desensitization.

Side effects

Most side effects tend to improve as your body adjusts.

Hypoglycemia Moderate
Joint pain Common
Water retention Common
Organ growth Rare

Research (10 studies)

IGF-1 LR3 does not promote growth in late-gestation growth-restricted fetal sheep. American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2025
Coronary vascular growth matches IGF-1-stimulated cardiac growth in fetal sheep. FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology · 2020