Follistatin-344 vs IGF-1 LR3.
Quick Verdict
Follistatin-344 is a myostatin inhibitor primarily researched for muscle hypertrophy, strength, while IGF-1 LR3 is a growth factor studied for muscle growth, recovery, hyperplasia. IGF-1 LR3 has substantially more indexed research (20 studies) compared to Follistatin-344 (9 studies).
Side-by-Side Analysis
| Dimension | Follistatin-344 | IGF-1 LR3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Myostatin Inhibitor | Growth Factor |
| Mechanism | Blocks myostatin (the body's muscle growth limiter) and activin, allowing enhanced muscle development and regeneration beyond normal physiological limits. | IGF-1 analog with extended half-life for muscle cell hyperplasia (new cell creation, not just hypertrophy). |
| Half-Life | ~6 hours | ~20 hours |
| Route | SubQ | SubQ |
| Typical Dose | 100–100 mcg | 50–50 mcg |
| Frequency | 7x/wk | 5x/wk |
| Evidence Level | Preclinical | Preclinical |
| Indexed Studies | 9+ indexed | 20+ indexed |
| FDA Status | Research Only | Research Only |
| Lowest Price | $499.00 / 10mg via Bio Longevity Labs | $69.99 / 1mg via Amino Club |
| Per-mg Cost | $49.90/mg | $69.99/mg |
Mechanism of Action Comparison
How Follistatin-344 Works
Follistatin-344 Follistatin-344 is a naturally occurring protein studied for its ability to block myostatin, the body's built-in muscle growth limiter, enabling significantly enhanced muscle development.
Blocks myostatin (the body's muscle growth limiter) and activin, allowing enhanced muscle development and regeneration beyond normal physiological limits.
How IGF-1 LR3 Works
IGF-1 LR3 IGF-1 LR3 is a long-acting analog of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 studied for its ability to trigger new muscle cell creation (hyperplasia) beyond what training alone can achieve.
IGF-1 analog with extended half-life for muscle cell hyperplasia (new cell creation, not just hypertrophy). Promotes nitrogen retention and protein synthesis.
Key Mechanistic Difference
Follistatin-344 operates as a myostatin inhibitor, while IGF-1 LR3 functions as a growth factor — these are fundamentally different pharmacological approaches. IGF-1 LR3 has a significantly longer half-life (~20 hours) compared to Follistatin-344 (~6 hours), which impacts dosing frequency and sustained activity.
Research Evidence
Follistatin-344
9 studies- Follistatin gene therapy increases muscle mass and strengthRodino-Klapac et al. (Mol. Ther.): AAV-delivered follistatin 344 increases muscle mass and fiber diameter across multipl…Preclinical
- Follistatin as myostatin antagonist therapeutic potentialKalista et al.: Review of follistatin's role as primary endogenous myostatin antagonist and its therapeutic potential fo…Preclinical
- Follistatin gene transfer for Becker muscular dystrophy (Phase I)Mendell et al. (Mol. Ther.): Phase I clinical trial of AAV1-follistatin gene transfer in Becker muscular dystrophy patie…Moderate
IGF-1 LR3
20 studies- IGF-1 LR3 promotes muscle growth in animal modelsIGF-1 LR3 demonstrates significantly enhanced potency over native IGF-1 due to reduced binding protein affinity and exte…Preclinical
- IGF-1 signaling: muscle repair and regeneration reviewPhilippou & Barton (Growth Hormone & IGF Res.): Comprehensive review of IGF-1's role in muscle satellite cell activation…Preclinical
- IGF-1 and cancer risk comprehensive epidemiological reviewBowers et al.: Meta-analysis of epidemiological studies examining positive correlation between circulating IGF-1 levels …Moderate-Strong
Vendor Pricing
· Affiliate links · Prices verified 2026Follistatin-344
1 vendorIGF-1 LR3
1 vendorAffiliate disclosure: PeptiDex may earn a commission from purchases via vendor links at no extra cost to you. See our methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take Follistatin-344 and IGF-1 LR3 together?▼
Yes — Follistatin-344 and IGF-1 LR3 are identified as synergistic in interaction databases. They operate through complementary mechanisms and are commonly combined in research protocols.
Which has more research evidence — Follistatin-344 or IGF-1 LR3?▼
Follistatin-344 has 9 indexed studies (highest evidence: Preclinical). IGF-1 LR3 has 20 indexed studies (highest evidence: Preclinical). IGF-1 LR3 has a more extensive research base.
What is the price difference between Follistatin-344 and IGF-1 LR3?▼
At current verified vendor prices, Follistatin-344 starts at $49.90/mg while IGF-1 LR3 starts at $69.99/mg. Prices vary by vendor and vial size — see the full vendor comparison below.
Which is better for muscle growth — Follistatin-344 or IGF-1 LR3?▼
Both are researched for muscle growth. Follistatin-344 addresses this via muscle hypertrophy, strength. IGF-1 LR3 approaches it through muscle growth, recovery, hyperplasia. The optimal choice depends on your specific research protocol and which mechanism aligns with your objectives.
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Shared Research Goals
Research Use Only — Not Medical Advice
This comparison is provided for educational and research purposes only. It does not constitute medical, prescribing, or treatment advice. Clinical data cited here is sourced from published peer-reviewed trials and FDA labels. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about medications or research compounds. PeptiDex is an informational resource and does not sell pharmaceutical products.