Follistatin vs Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Follistatin
Follistatin is a glycoprotein that inhibits myostatin, the protein responsible for limiting muscle growth. By blocking myostatin, follistatin can theoretically allow for increased muscle development beyond natural limits.
Full details →Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Human Growth Hormone (somatropin) is a 191-amino acid protein identical to naturally produced GH. FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, and other conditions. Widely used off-label for anti-aging and performance.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Follistatin | Human Growth Hormone (HGH) |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 50 mcg–100 mcg | 200 mcg–2 mg |
| Frequency | 1x daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 2–4 weeks | 12–24 weeks |
| Route | subcutaneous | subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Binds to and neutralizes myostatin and activin, both of which are negative regulators of muscle mass. This removes the natural brake on muscle growth, allowing for enhanced hypertrophy. | Binds to GH receptors throughout the body, stimulating IGF-1 production in the liver. Promotes protein synthesis, fat metabolism, and cellular regeneration across multiple tissues. |
| Typical Dosage | Research protocols typically use 100-300mcg daily, though optimal dosing is not well established. Gene therapy approaches have also been studied. | Medical: 0.1-0.3mg/kg/week divided into daily doses. Anti-aging: 1-2 IU daily. Performance: 2-6 IU daily, sometimes higher. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Different isoforms exist (FS344, FS315) with varying properties. Requires careful sourcing due to complexity. | Subcutaneous injection, preferably at night to mimic natural pulsatile release. Rotate injection sites. Store refrigerated. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Theoretical concerns about effects on other organs where activin signaling is important. | Joint pain, water retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, potential insulin resistance, and acromegaly features with long-term high doses. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Follistatin, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Human Growth Hormone (HGH):
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
- Muscle Growth: Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has stronger research support.
| Goal | Follistatin | Human Growth Hormone (HGH) |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Growth | medium | high |
Key Studies
Follistatin
- Heart to Heal: Unveiling Follistatin's Potential for Myocardial Regeneration.
Circulation research, 2025
- Fructose and follistatin potentiate acute MASLD during complete hepatic insulin resistance.
Nature communications, 2025
- Follistatin drives neuropathic pain in mice through IGF1R signaling in nociceptive neurons.
Science translational medicine, 2024
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
- Transgenic Artifacts Caused by Passenger Human Growth Hormone.
Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM, 2018
- [Human growth hormone and Turner syndrome].
Anales de pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003), 2017
- Significance of the disulphide bonds of human growth hormone.
Endokrynologia Polska, 2013
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