HGH 191AA (Somatropin) (36 iu Vial) Dosage Protocol
HGH 191AA is recombinant human growth hormone — a 191-amino-acid polypeptide identical to endogenous pituitary GH. Used clinically for growth-hormone deficiency and studied for body composition, recovery, and aging. This page covers the 36 iu vial.
⚡ Quickstart Highlights
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
Route: Subcutaneous | Frequency: Once daily | Half-life: ~3.5 hours; IGF-1 elevation lasts 24+ hours
Standard Approach (3 mL = 4.00 mg/mL)
Reconstituting with 3 mL bacteriostatic water produces a concentration of 4.00 mg/mL. Volume per dose changes with concentration; mg dose itself does not change between vial sizes.
| Phase / Protocol | Dose | U-100 Units | Volume | Doses per vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 200 mcg | 5.0 units | 0.050 mL | 59 doses |
| Week 2 | 300 mcg | 7.5 units | 0.075 mL | 39 doses |
| Week 3 | 400 mcg | 10.0 units | 0.10 mL | 29 doses |
| Week 4 | 500 mcg | 12.5 units | 0.13 mL | 23 doses |
| Week 5 | 600 mcg | 15.0 units | 0.15 mL | 19 doses |
| Week 6 | 700 mcg | 17.5 units | 0.18 mL | 17 doses |
| Week 7 | 800 mcg | 20.0 units | 0.20 mL | 14 doses |
| Week 8 (target) | 900 mcg | 22.5 units | 0.23 mL | 13 doses |
Reconstitution Steps
- Wipe the vial stopper and BAC water vial with alcohol; let dry.
- Draw 3 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the inside glass wall of the peptide vial. Do not aim at the powder.
- Gently swirl until fully dissolved. Do not shake.
- Label with reconstitution date. Refrigerate at 2–8°C; use within 14 days.
Supplies Needed
Estimates for an 8-week and 12-week cycle at 600 mcg per dose, once daily (7 doses/week).
| Item | 8-Week Cycle | 12-Week Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| HGH 191AA (Somatropin) (36 iu) vials | 3 vials | 5 vials |
| Insulin syringes (U-100) | 56 | 84 |
| Bacteriostatic water (10 mL) | 1 × 10 mL | 2 × 10 mL |
| Alcohol swabs | 1 × 100-pack | 2 × 100-pack |
Protocol Overview
HGH protocols vary widely by goal. Anti-aging research uses 1–2 IU daily 5 days/week. Body-composition protocols use 2–4 IU daily 5 days/week. Performance research goes higher (4+ IU) but with significantly increased side-effect burden.
Cycle length: Most protocols run 6–12 months at minimum because IGF-1 elevation and tissue effects accumulate slowly. Body-composition results plateau around month 4–6 in most users.
5-on / 2-off pattern: The 5 days on / 2 days off schedule (typically M-F dosing) preserves natural pulsatility and reduces receptor desensitization risk vs continuous daily use.
Dosing Protocol
Three protocol intensities:
- Light/anti-aging (1 IU/day, 5 days/week): Conservative dose. Effects subtle but established. Lowest side-effect burden.
- Standard (2 IU/day, 5 days/week): Common research protocol. Balance of effect and tolerability.
- Higher (3 IU/day, 5 days/week): Body composition / performance research. Higher side effects: edema, joint pain, glucose intolerance.
Timing: Evening dosing (within 1 hour of bedtime) aligns with the natural overnight GH pulse during slow-wave sleep. Avoid eating for 1–2 hours after injection — elevated insulin blunts GH efficacy.
Cycle structure: 6–12 months continuous (with 5-on/2-off weekly pattern). Some protocols add 4-week breaks every 12 weeks.
Pulsatile alternative: Twice-daily dosing (morning + evening) at half-doses is sometimes used to better mimic natural pulsatility.
Bloodwork cadence: IGF-1 and fasting glucose every 8–12 weeks to monitor for insulin resistance development.
Storage Instructions
| State | Temperature | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized | −20°C (−4°F) | Up to 24 months, dry & dark |
| Reconstituted | 2–8°C (35–46°F) | Up to 14 days, protect from light |
Important Notes
How This Works
HGH 191AA is a 191-amino-acid recombinant peptide identical in sequence to native human pituitary GH (somatropin). After subcutaneous injection, GH binds the dimeric GH receptor on hepatocytes, adipocytes, myocytes, and chondrocytes. Receptor activation triggers JAK2/STAT5 signaling that drives IGF-1 production from the liver — IGF-1 mediates most of GH's anabolic effects.
Native GH release is pulsatile with the largest pulse during slow-wave sleep. Exogenous somatropin produces a single steady-state pulse per dose. Many protocols favor evening dosing to roughly approximate the natural overnight pulse. 1 mg ≈ 3 IU.
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
Potential Benefits
- Reductions in adipose tissue, particularly visceral fat.
- Increases in lean body mass over 6–12 months.
- Improved exercise capacity and recovery in some studies.
- Improved skin thickness and dermal collagen content.
- Restoration of normal IGF-1 in deficiency states.
Side Effect Profile
- Fluid retention — peripheral edema, hands and feet.
- Joint pain and stiffness.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Insulin resistance and elevated fasting glucose at higher doses.
- Headache; rare intracranial pressure changes.
- Theoretical concerns with active malignancy.
Lifestyle Factors
- Evening dosing aligns with natural overnight GH pulse.
- Avoid eating for 1–2 hours after injection — insulin blunts GH efficacy.
- Resistance training amplifies anabolic effects.
- Aerobic exercise improves insulin sensitivity, offsetting glucose intolerance.
- Sleep 7–9 hours — most natural GH/IGF-1 work occurs in slow-wave sleep.
Injection Technique
- Subcutaneous into abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites daily.
- 90° angle with short (4–8 mm) insulin needle.
- Bring vial to room temperature 15 min before injecting.
- Reconstituted GH is fragile — swirl gently, do not shake.