Follistatin vs Retatrutide
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 →Retatrutide
Retatrutide is an investigational triple agonist targeting GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors. Phase 2 trials showed unprecedented weight loss of up to 24% at 48 weeks, making it potentially the most effective obesity treatment studied.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Follistatin | Retatrutide |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Triple receptor activation provides complementary metabolic effects: GLP-1 and GIP reduce appetite and improve insulin sensitivity, while glucagon receptor activation increases energy expenditure and promotes hepatic fat oxidation. |
| Typical Dosage | Research protocols typically use 100-300mcg daily, though optimal dosing is not well established. Gene therapy approaches have also been studied. | Clinical trials used doses from 1mg to 12mg weekly. Optimal dosing still being determined in ongoing Phase 3 trials. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Different isoforms exist (FS344, FS315) with varying properties. Requires careful sourcing due to complexity. | Subcutaneous injection once weekly. Currently only available through clinical trials - not yet FDA approved. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Theoretical concerns about effects on other organs where activin signaling is important. | Similar GI effects to other incretin-based therapies: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation. Dose-dependent severity. |
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