Use of MK-677 to boost GH and IGF-1

[Youthful55guy]

I've mentioned a couple times that I layered in ~25 mg/day of oral MK-677 into my peptide protocol about 5 weeks ago to see if I could reduce my use of injected peptides to boost GH production. I finally got my lab results today from a blood draw taken after 4 weeks of use. Bottom line it works dam well!

A little background. My GH production has always been somewhat lacking. Never clinically low, but always in about the 30th to 75th percentile for my aged group as measured by IGF-1 (8 tests without GH supplementation over the past 7+ years). My goal is to get IGF-1 into the 50th percentile for a 25-35 year old man, which is around 200 ng/mL with LabCorp (normal range for us old guys is 49-188). The only time I've been able to do that is with about 2.6 IU/day GH.

I've been slowly increasing my dose of a peptide mix of Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 (no DAC). My current dose before layering the MK-677 was 900/300 mcg per day in 3 divided doses. That protocol yielded 168 ng/mL IGF-1 in my last test, which is about the same as when I was using 1 IU GH/day. Layering in the oral MK-677 on top of that (~12-15 mg 2X per day AM & PM) returned an IGF-1 value of 220 (equal to about 3 IU GH per day).

I think I'll dial the peptides back a bit to 600/200 mcg/day IPA/CJC-1295 and keep the MK-677 where it is and retest in about 4 weeks, then adjust the doses further if necessary. My goal is to maintain >200 ng/mL IGF-1, reduce the cost of the program, and dial back the injections to 2X per day (with a 31G insulin syringe).

[kelkel]

As expected! Nice work.

[xxblazenlowxx]

Interesting my igf-1 came in at 331 using 2ui a day of hg.

Before it was 186 with no gh

Normal lab range is 88 - 246. Labcorp

[Youthful55guy]

Interesting my igf-1 came in at 331 using 2ui a day of hg.

Before it was 186 with no gh

Normal lab range is 88 - 246. Labcorp

My untreated IGF-1 is much lower, around 115 (average of 4 tests untreated), so at 2 IU GH per day one would expect lower IGF-1 values. Mine were around 200 with 2 IU.

LabCorp ranges are age based, I'm 62 years old man and the normal range is 49-188 ng/mL. I did some researching on line and found the following age ranges for LabCorp (men). The age range for my age group is higher in this reference than on my recent lab report, so the ranges below from the reference I found are probably high and have since been lowered.

19-20y = 218-510
21-30y = 155-432
31-40y = 132-333
41-50y = 121-237
51-60y = 68-245
61-70y = 60-220
71-80y = 36-215

[AR's King Silabolin]

I feel the benefits shine the most after 1-2 years if continous use of mk.
Ive been om it more or less 3-4 years now and i respond to the weigths as i did in my 20s.
If its the nebido or mk i cant say. But i think its the mk.
But more anabolism is the only pro. I dont notice any better sleep, skin or wellbeeing. But maybe my skin would have aged faster without it.
I have never documented effects by BW. I tend to go by feel and real life experiences. What use us it in positive bloods if u dont notice shit.

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[Tim1985]

Youthful,
You mentioned you used MK-677 in addition to your other peptides. Do you think it would be a waste of money when compared to the results to treat with it by itself? My TRT doc is pitching either using MK-677 at 12.5mg once daily in the evening, or ipamorelin at 500mcgs every night. This would be to boost my IGF-1 (last labwork was 147 with ref range of 88 - 246) and help with joint soreness.

[Youthful55guy]

Youthful,
You mentioned you used MK-677 in addition to your other peptides. Do you think it would be a waste of money when compared to the results to treat with it by itself? My TRT doc is pitching either using MK-677 at 12.5mg once daily in the evening, or ipamorelin at 500mcgs every night. This would be to boost my IGF-1 (last labwork was 147 with ref range of 88 - 246) and help with joint soreness.

I plan to put that to the test in future labs. I had no idea that MK-677 existed until a couple months ago. I simply layered onto my existing peptide protocol and got really good results exceeding my target. I like that it's oral and shelf stable (no refrigeration), so it makes the protocol portable during vacations. My long term goal is to reduce the cost of my peptide program while keeping IGF-1 in the 50th percentile for a 25-35 year old man, which is around 200 ng/mL.

Several weeks ago I reduced the amount of injected peptide and I plan to retest in a couple more weeks. I'll then make dosing decisions and test in another 6 or so weeks. As it is now, I have enough of my peptides to last through June. Eventually I will get to a MK-677 only protocol because I have a 10-day hiking vacation planned in July. Whether I go back to a combination protocol has yet to be determined.

Regarding your doctor's recommended dose, It seems a bit low. Granted, my baseline was lower at around 116 (AVG of 4 tests). When I layered 25-30 mg MK-677 daily (~13-15mg AM and ~13-15mg PM) onto my existing 900/300 mcg Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 (no DAC) protocol, it pushed my level from about 160 to 220. I doubt that 30 mg/day would be enough to sustain my target IGF-1 level (200).

[Family_guy]

I plan to put that to the test in future labs. I had no idea that MK-677 existed until a couple months ago. I simply layered onto my existing peptide protocol and got really good results exceeding my target. I like that it's oral and shelf stable (no refrigeration), so it makes the protocol portable during vacations. My long term goal is to reduce the cost of my peptide program while keeping IGF-1 in the 50th percentile for a 25-35 year old man, which is around 200 ng/mL.

Several weeks ago I reduced the amount of injected peptide and I plan to retest in a couple more weeks. I'll then make dosing decisions and test in another 6 or so weeks. As it is now, I have enough of my peptides to last through June. Eventually I will get to a MK-677 only protocol because I have a 10-day hiking vacation planned in July. Whether I go back to a combination protocol has yet to be determined.

Regarding your doctor's recommended dose, It seems a bit low. Granted, my baseline was lower at around 116 (AVG of 4 tests). When I layered 25-30 mg MK-677 daily (~13-15mg AM and ~13-15mg PM) onto my existing 900/300 mcg Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 (no DAC) protocol, it pushed my level from about 160 to 220. I doubt that 30 mg/day would be enough to sustain my target IGF-1 level (200).

Have you noticed any of the sluggishness that I’ve heard of when using MK?

[Youthful55guy]

Have you noticed any of the sluggishness that I’ve heard of when using MK?

No. Not at all. In fact, no side effects at all. At first I even questioned the potency of the product (new source for me), but the test results were conclusively positive.

[Family_guy]

No. Not at all. In fact, no side effects at all. At first I even questioned the potency of the product (new source for me), but the test results were conclusively positive.

Very interesting

[fiddlesticks]

It's cool that its oral and all but MK sucks balls compared to ghrps tbh potency wise. Better yet if you want more igf.. Why not just inject igf?

[Youthful55guy]

It's cool that its oral and all but MK sucks balls compared to ghrps tbh potency wise. Better yet if you want more igf.. Why not just inject igf?

We measure IGF-1 because it's a relatively stable and easy to measure marker for GH release. The end goal is really to increase GH secretion, but GH is episodic and diurnal in it's release, so it's more difficult to measure. Therefore, we use IGF-1 as a segregate marker for GH. The hormone affects the production many other growth factors and processes in the body, all of which decline with age as the master hormone (GH) declines. If we can boost GH to more healthy levels, as they were when we were in or 20's or 30's, in theory, we should be able to improve on the age-related decline we see in our bodies as we get older.


So, injecting IGF-1 may be beneficial to some processes such as muscle and joint repair, but it's like a single trumpet play in a symphony of hormones and growth factors.

[fiddlesticks]

We measure IGF-1 because it's a relatively stable and easy to measure marker for GH release. The end goal is really to increase GH secretion, but GH is episodic and diurnal in it's release, so it's more difficult to measure. Therefore, we use IGF-1 as a segregate marker for GH. The hormone affects the production many other growth factors and processes in the body, all of which decline with age as the master hormone (GH) declines. If we can boost GH to more healthy levels, as they were when we were in or 20's or 30's, in theory, we should be able to improve on the age-related decline we see in our bodies as we get older.


So, injecting IGF-1 may be beneficial to some processes such as muscle and joint repair, but it's like a single trumpet play in a symphony of hormones and growth factors.

I think you misunderstood what I meant, GHRP peptides in general work more than MK. It's a solid improvement going from mk to say ghrp6.

It's also a huge leap going from GHRP to hexarelin. When I used hex 100mcg a day my IGF was way higher than 4iu of GH. Baffles me MK is so popular when hex is faaaar better.

[kelkel]

Hex can give better results but is more suited to short term use as opposed to MK.
Cheap too compared to MK.

[fiddlesticks]

Hex can give better results but is more suited to short term use as opposed to MK.
Cheap too compared to MK.

As far as I understand it..

Hex can only be used 2 weeks on 2 off from its extreme potency desensitizating the gh system

GHRP and MK can be run constantly 247365

Hex overall is pretty ridiculous, very underrated compound and I say the best value GH drug. Honestly surprised it isn't more common.

Very interesting to me that constant GH usage doesn't really build a GH resistance but hex does. It is some absurdly strong stuff. Dunno about anyone else but it blew results I got from up to 6iu GH out of the water. Had worse sides too which in my opinion indicates it hit harder. Anyone who has trouble sleeping just take hex, it will knock you the fuck out hard lol.

[Youthful55guy]

I think you misunderstood what I meant, GHRP peptides in general work more than MK. It's a solid improvement going from mk to say ghrp6.

It's also a huge leap going from GHRP to hexarelin. When I used hex 100mcg a day my IGF was way higher than 4iu of GH. Baffles me MK is so popular when hex is faaaar better.

Not to belabor the discussion, but there are numerous choices in how to increase GH production. There are pros and cons to each and some we simply do not fully understand. For me, it's a matter of making my entire anti-aging protocol (including TRT) sustainable and affordable over the long-haul. I've used various injectable peptides (including hexarelin) alone and in various combinations for quite some time. I've come to the conclusion that mixing and injecting small batches of peptides and having to keep them refrigerated is not conducive to sustainability of the protocol. Then there's disposal of the syringes that keep piling up in my office (where I do my injections) to deal with. Not to mention visible to prying eyes.

I find oral dosing from a portable and easy to hide eye dropper very appealing and I plan to continue investigating this aspect of GH augmentation. it's all a matter of personal preferences.

[fiddlesticks]

Not to belabor the discussion, but there are numerous choices in how to increase GH production. There are pros and cons to each and some we simply do not fully understand. For me, it's a matter of making my entire anti-aging protocol (including TRT) sustainable and affordable over the long-haul. I've used various injectable peptides (including hexarelin) alone and in various combinations for quite some time. I've come to the conclusion that mixing and injecting small batches of peptides and having to keep them refrigerated is not conducive to sustainability of the protocol. Then there's disposal of the syringes that keep piling up in my office (where I do my injections) to deal with. Not to mention visible to prying eyes.

I find oral dosing from a portable and easy to hide eye dropper very appealing and I plan to continue investigating this aspect of GH augmentation. it's all a matter of personal preferences.

yeah its certainly not time friendly mixing the vials and all that fun stuff.

Amphetamine and likely ephedrine have strong GH releasing properties as well so maybe look into that.

Also T3 does as well - If I was you I see no harm in adding 12.5mcg x2 a day of t3

[mexecutioner]

yeah its certainly not time friendly mixing the vials and all that fun stuff.

Amphetamine and likely ephedrine have strong GH releasing properties as well so maybe look into that.

Also T3 does as well - If I was you I see no harm in adding 12.5mcg x2 a day of t3

Actually, amphetamine is a releaser of dopamine, a well known inhibitor of GH release. This is why you have to monitor growth of children on amphetamines for ADHD. Not the newest study, but you can easily google for other studies: https://www.nature.com/articles/pr19...df?origin=ppub.

[kelkel]

As far as I understand it..

Hex can only be used 2 weeks on 2 off from its extreme potency desensitizating the gh system

I've read up to 4 but it's probably a coin toss....

I find oral dosing from a portable and easy to hide eye dropper very appealing and I plan to continue investigating this aspect of GH augmentation. it's all a matter of personal preferences.

There's much to be said for simplicity.

[Family_guy]

yeah its certainly not time friendly mixing the vials and all that fun stuff.

Amphetamine and likely ephedrine have strong GH releasing properties as well so maybe look into that.

Also T3 does as well - If I was you I see no harm in adding 12.5mcg x2 a day of t3

Ya let’s do amphetamine to increase GH

[Family_guy]

We measure IGF-1 because it's a relatively stable and easy to measure marker for GH release. The end goal is really to increase GH secretion, but GH is episodic and diurnal in it's release, so it's more difficult to measure. Therefore, we use IGF-1 as a segregate marker for GH. The hormone affects the production many other growth factors and processes in the body, all of which decline with age as the master hormone (GH) declines. If we can boost GH to more healthy levels, as they were when we were in or 20's or 30's, in theory, we should be able to improve on the age-related decline we see in our bodies as we get older.


So, injecting IGF-1 may be beneficial to some processes such as muscle and joint repair, but it's like a single trumpet play in a symphony of hormones and growth factors.

I really liked this post. Very clear and concise

[fiddlesticks]

Actually, amphetamine is a releaser of dopamine, a well known inhibitor of GH release. This is why you have to monitor growth of children on amphetamines for ADHD. Not the newest study, but you can easily google for other studies: https://www.nature.com/articles/pr19...df?origin=ppub.

Ive read that but also have read the direct opposite. I've also read that bupropion which is similar to amphetamine increases GH from exercise by extremely significant amounts, like 50%.

I think a logical way to examine this would be amphetamines/ephedrine increase metabolism and thus autophagy GH plays a role there.

[fiddlesticks]

Ya let’s do amphetamine to increase GH

Honestly at a low dose it's an interesting neuroprotective drug, has all kinds of weird properties.

[Youthful55guy]

Quick update on lab results from a change in protocol I initiated about 4 weeks ago. In this protocol change, I eliminated my mid-day peptide mix injection and lowered the overall daily dose of peptides. I needed to reformulate the mix to keep my HCG constant, as it is contained within the peptide mix to minimize needed injections.

Background

• My normal (untreated IGF-1 is a pathetic 118 ng/mL (AVG of 3 measurements).
  
• I've been progressively increasing my dose and frequency of peptide injection and observing a general increase in IGF-1. I use a mix of Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 (no DAC). Before starting MK-677, my peak dose was 3X per day of a mix of 300/100 mcg IPA/CJC = 900/300 mcg per day. This resulted in an IGF-1 of approximately 170 ng/mL (my goal is 200).
  
• I added in ~30 mg oral MK-677 (15 mg AM and 15 mg PM) to the 900/300 mcg IPA/CJC 3X daily protocol and my IGF-1 shot up to 220 ng/mL.
  
• I then decreased my peptide dose to 500/250 mcg IPA/CJC in a 2X daily protocol and maintained my oral MK-677 at 30 mg per day (15 mg 2X per day). My IGF-1 came in at 208 ng/mL (~200 is my goal).

Next Experiment

• Just for kicks, I'm going to maintain the 500/250 mcg IPA/CJC in a 2X daily protocol of peptides, but increase the MK-677 to 45 mg/day (15 mg 3X per day). I'll reevaluate in about 6 weeks.
  
• I'll probably do a future experiment to eliminate peptides and increase MK-677 to 60 mg/day. I want to do this because I plan on doing a 10-day hiking trip this summer and I want to see if I can optimize an "Oral Only" protocol for the trip.