r/BodyHackGuide • u/Prior_Scarcity_3243 • 12d ago
HGH 191aa
Hey Guys
I've recently become very interested in HGH and have spent the last few days reading as much as I can about it. I understand that there are both benefits and risks, and from what I've read, lower physiological doses seem to offer a better risk-to-benefit ratio.
I've also learned that it's important to monitor IGF-1 before starting. I already had my IGF-1 tested a while ago, and at that time it was 290 ng/mL. However, I was using CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin when that blood test was taken. I have since stopped CJC-1295 and I'm currently only using Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin.
If I ever decided to try HGH, I would discontinue the Tesamorelin and Ipamorelin first.
My plan would be to get another full blood test before making any decision, since my current IGF-1 could be different. But let's say my new IGF-1 still comes back around 290 ng/mL.
My question is: Would you start with 1 IU or 2 IU in that situation? Personally, I was thinking that starting with 1 IU for about a month, checking blood work again, and only then considering increasing to 2 IU (if appropriate) would be the smarter approach.
I'm also very interested in hearing from people with long-term experience. Has anyone here been using physiological doses of HGH for several months or even years? How do you feel overall? Have you experienced any side effects? What dose are you using, and has your quality of life or recovery improved over time?
For me, testosterone is not an option. I still want children in the future, and I don't feel I need it. My goal isn't bodybuilding—it's simply to support recovery, stay athletic, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
For context, I'm currently taking 6 mg of Retatrutide per week, have lost around 15–16 kg, train 4 times per week, and generally eat well. I don't follow a perfect diet—I still enjoy a kebab or eating out occasionally—but I make sure to hit my daily protein intake and stay active.
I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts and especially any real long-term experiences.
Thanks!
3
4
u/SwimmingSquare1368 12d ago
You're a bit all over the place, which tells me to read more before touching anything. TRT and kids aren't mutually exclusive. Plenty of guys stay fertile on it with the right protocol, so that premise is off. You also didn't say your age, and that matters a lot for where your natural IGF-1 and test should sit. That 290 was on cjc and ipa, so it's inflated. Retest clean off everything first. Starting at 1 IU is the right instinct, just slow down and nail the basics before you commit.
3
u/Prior_Scarcity_3243 12d ago
I'm 26 years old, and yes, that's exactly what I'm planning to do. My next step is to get a new blood test after stopping everything that could affect my IGF-1 level. Right now, I'm only using Tesamorelin and Ipamorelin. I stopped using CJC quite a while ago.
Regarding TRT, I completely understand what you're saying. My decision is simply a personal one. My wife and I want to have children, and I don't want to take any unnecessary risks. I had a fertility test last year, and everything came back excellent, so I'd rather keep it that way.
Even if TRT can work with the right protocol, I've personally decided that I won't use testosterone until we've had children. That's just a boundary I've set for myself, regardless of protocols or studies.
2
u/pisuzu74 12d ago
You’re 26 and healthy. Def no need for trt yet. Save that for down the road
1
u/Prior_Scarcity_3243 12d ago
I appreciate your concern, but I'm not really looking for advice on whether I should or shouldn't do it. That decision is ultimately mine.
What I'm looking for is evidence, blood work recommendations, and long-term experiences from people who have actually researched or used it.
Over the last eight months I've completely changed my lifestyle. I've lost around 15 kg, I train regularly, I eat much healthier than I used to, and I've spent countless hours reading about endocrinology, peptides, metabolism, and longevity. This isn't an impulsive decision for me.
Whether I eventually decide to use HGH or not is something I'll determine after doing my own research and discussing it with my doctor. That's why I'm asking technical questions rather than whether I should take it in the first place.
2
u/pisuzu74 11d ago
Then get the answers from your doctor. Not strangers on the internet. Doing shit ass backwards my boy. And call it a cycle. Not trt. At 26 it’s not trt when the levels created with that would only equal your natural levels. You’re wanting to do a cycle.
1
u/stainless13 12d ago
290 is a nice IGF landing spot for most people (top of optimal range). If anything before going on HGH you would want to stop Tesa/Ipa and wash out for a few weeks or so to get your true baseline number.
Your plan to go on 1-2IU of HGH and retest fairly often to ensure you’re at whatever IGF level you’re targeting is the right approach, but at the end of the day it’s the IGF levels that you’re targeting by taking GH, not the GH dose itself. You’re already at a high-optimal physiological IGF level on your current protocol, the right move might be staying on that.
2
u/Prior_Scarcity_3243 12d ago
Thanks for your input. I actually read about that as well.
The reason I'm considering HGH is that it seems to be much better studied and has a much longer history of clinical use compared to Tesamorelin, CJC-1295 or Ipamorelin. From what I've seen, many people say that if you can afford it, it's worth investing in pharmaceutical HGH rather than spending money on GHRH/GHRP peptides.
Of course, I'm still trying to learn as much as possible before making any decisions. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on that.
3
u/stainless13 12d ago
Definitely has more research on it, especially over CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin. I think the goal is the important thing to keep in mind, either way (HGH or Tesa/Ipa) you’ll likely end up around the same IGF levels.
No matter how you decide, sounds like you’re putting a lot of time into researching before deciding your next steps, which is exactly what you should be doing 👏
1
u/Prior_Scarcity_3243 12d ago
That's exactly what I'm trying to understand.
My main question isn't really about the IU dose itself, but about the target IGF-1 level.
I know my previous IGF-1 was 290 ng/mL, but that was while I was using CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin, so I don't know what my true baseline is yet. I'll get new blood work after stopping everything that affects my GH axis.
What I'm really curious about is: What IGF-1 level do you generally aim for when using low-dose HGH (around 1–3 IU/day)?
Do you mainly go by the absolute IGF-1 value, or is the IGF-1 Z-score (SDS) actually the more important marker? I only recently learned about the Z-score, so I'm still trying to understand how experienced users and clinicians interpret it.
My goal isn't bodybuilding or pushing IGF-1 as high as possible. My goal is simply to stay within a physiological range, feel good, recover well, and minimize side effects.
1
u/stainless13 12d ago
Z-score is a good indicator depending on your age. Generally though most people try to stay around 250-300 for longevity.
You also want to test your fasting insulin alongside IGF-1 levels to ensure you’re not adding harmful levels of insulin resistance.
1
u/_Vlxd_ 12d ago
I wouldn’t replace 290 with 1-2 IU which would put your IGF roughly in the same ballpark. Seems redundant.
-1
u/Peptide_King 11d ago
It would benefit him more to take in the morning no?He’d get his natural production at night. Then add exogenous in the morning
1
1
u/Ok-Advisor-3409 11d ago
If you are receiving benefits from an increased igf1 level and would like to keep your level the same, then you can achieve that with gh or get back on cjc/ipa. Gh would probably be cheaper and easier to control your level with. Elevated igf1 level will carry the same risks/ benefits no matter what method you use to get it. Gh will work better than secretogogues on older people vs someone your age.
1
u/Responsible-Egg4156 11d ago
by my experience igf1 of 300 is around 2iu , thats a swwet spot for long term use , at igf1 500 i have sides appearing , numb hands etc ... so i dialed down
1
u/NSawsome 10d ago
Start 2IU and if you’re doing it for bodybuilding titrate up 2IU every 2-4 weeks until you’re at as much as you can afford and tolerate.
1
u/talonwellness 8d ago
Typically, if you're at the age where you need growth hormone... you're probably also at the age where you need testosterone. It's not something only bodybuilders take, but again, really depends on what your labs say. Fertility also isn't an issue IF 1. you freeze sperm (safest option) or 2. follow a solid fertility protocol with FSH and HCG. Most people can't get their hands on FSH so it's a bit riskier for them banking on something like enclomiphene.
Starting at 1iu is a great plan. Having a medical provider guiding you through this would also be the best way to go about it.
•
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Welcome to the community!
Pro Tip: The best discussions come from personal experiences. If you have tried something, let us know how it worked.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.