Fat Loss & Metabolism
HGH Frag 176-191
growth hormone fragment · related to AOD-9604
What it is
HGH Fragment 176-191 is the C-terminal "tail" piece of the full human growth hormone molecule (residues 176–191 of the 191-amino-acid protein). It's essentially the parent compound from which AOD-9604 was derived. Studied as an anti-obesity agent in the 1990s.
How it works
The fragment retains the lipolytic (fat-burning) activity of HGH while removing the parts that bind the GH receptor. Result: stimulates fat breakdown, inhibits fat storage, no IGF-1 elevation, no insulin resistance, no muscle growth signaling.
Benefits
- Targeted fat loss without GH side effects
- No insulin sensitivity changes
- No effect on blood glucose
- Stable IGF-1 (avoids growth-stimulating concerns)
- Useful for stubborn pockets of fat
Timeline
- Week 1–2
- Subtle — minimal noticeable change.
- Week 4–8
- Visible fat loss in stubborn areas.
- Month 3+
- Most pronounced effects with paired training and diet.
Dosing & titration
Standard dose250–500 mcg subQ daily
TimingFasted, AM (before breakfast or fasted training)
Cycle length3–6 months
When to titrate upMost users do well at 250–500 mcg. Higher rarely produces additional benefit.
Side effects & risks
- Generally very well tolerated
- Mild injection site reactions
- Rare: transient fatigue early in protocol
- Limited long-term human safety data outside trial cohorts
AOD-9604 is the more researched, optimized version of this compound. Most users prefer AOD-9604 unless cost is a major factor.
Typical price
$50–$100/mo5 mg vial from a 503A compounding pharmacy. Cheaper than AOD-9604.
Studies
- Search PubMed for HGH fragment 176-191 — PubMed searchLive PubMed search
- Heffernan M et al. Effects of GH and the lipolytic fragment of GH on lipid metabolism in transgenic mice — Original mechanistic study. PubMedEndocrinology, 2001
Educational reference only. Not medical advice.