Somatropin (HGH) vs Follistatin 344
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Growth Hormone PeptidesAnti-Aging & Longevity
Somatropin (HGH)Anabolic & IGF
Follistatin 344- Summary
- Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), identical in structure to the 191-amino acid pituitary-derived growth hormone. It is FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency, short stature, and wasting conditions. Off-label, it is widely explored for body composition, anti-aging, and performance enhancement, though significant risks accompany unsupervised use.
- Follistatin 344 is a recombinant form of the endogenous follistatin protein. It inhibits myostatin and activin — the primary negative regulators of muscle growth — potentially removing the genetic ceiling on muscle development. It is one of the most theoretically powerful anabolic compounds but is experimental with limited human data.
- Half-Life
- 2-3 hours (subcutaneous); 20-30 minutes (intravenous)
- ~24–36 hours
- Admin Route
- Subcutaneous, Intramuscular (less common)
- SubQ, IM
- Research
- —
- —
- Typical Dose
- 0.15-0.3 mg/day (adults); titrated to IGF-1 levels
- 100 mcg
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Once daily
- Key Benefits
- Increases lean muscle mass and reduces body fat (particularly visceral)
- Restores growth hormone deficiency (FDA-approved)
- Improves bone mineral density
- Enhances exercise capacity and recovery
- Supports skin thickness and collagen synthesis
- Improves lipid profile in GHD patients
- Explored for anti-aging and cellular regeneration
- Inhibits myostatin — removes muscle growth ceiling
- Significant increases in muscle mass and strength
- Reduces fat mass
- Promotes bone density
- May stimulate hair follicle cycling
- Anti-fibrotic effects in muscle tissue
- Synergistic with IGF-1 and other anabolic peptides
- Side Effects
- Fluid retention and edema (common, dose-dependent)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Joint and muscle pain
- Insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose
- +3 more
- Muscle soreness (from rapid hypertrophy)
- Potential reproductive effects (activin inhibition)
- Unknown long-term safety profile
- Possible esophageal effects at high doses (animal data)
- Stacks With
- —
- —