Peptides: TB-500 Protocol Reference Card
Thymosin beta-4 promotes angiogenesis and wound healing via actin sequestration and VEGF upregulation, supporting systemic tissue repair across multiple injury sites.
| Measure | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence Grade | C | grade | TB-500 — human dosing protocols extrapolated from animal studies; no human RCTs for the protocol parameters below |
| Loading Phase Dose | 10 | mg/week | Split as 2 × 5mg injections per week; typically week 1–6 |
| Maintenance Phase Dose | 2–5 | mg/week | Single weekly injection; weeks 7–12 or as needed after acute phase |
| Cycle Length | 12 | weeks on | Minimum 4 weeks off before repeating; cycle break is non-negotiable for receptor sensitivity |
| Reconstitution Concentration | 5 | mg/mL | Standard: add 2mL bacteriostatic water to 10mg vial; yields 5mg/mL solution |
| Distribution Type | Systemic | mechanism | Unlike BPC-157, injection site does NOT need to be near injury; TB-500 distributes systemically |
| WADA Status | Prohibited | S2 category | Prohibited in all sports under WADA S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances) |
TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment) is a 43-amino acid peptide fragment corresponding to the actin-binding domain of the full thymosin beta-4 protein. Its primary mechanism involves sequestering G-actin monomers to facilitate cell migration, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Unlike BPC-157, TB-500 distributes systemically after subcutaneous injection, making injection site selection less critical for reaching target tissues. All dosing parameters below are extrapolated from animal studies (PMID 22165960; PMID 14749153) — no human RCTs exist for these protocol specifics. (animal study)
Phase Protocol Reference Card
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading | 10mg/week | 2 × 5mg injections | 4–6 weeks | Subcut or IM | Split Mon/Thu or similar; covers acute injury or aggressive repair phase |
| Maintenance | 2–5mg/week | 1 × weekly injection | 4–8 weeks | Subcut preferred | Sustains tissue remodeling after loading; taper to lowest effective dose |
| Injury-specific loading | 15mg/week | 3 × 5mg injections | 2–4 weeks | IM near site (optional) or subcut | For severe acute injury; higher end of documented animal dosing |
| Off-cycle | None | — | 4+ weeks minimum | — | Essential for receptor sensitivity and safety; do not skip |
Reconstitution and Dosing Math
Add bacteriostatic water (BW) to lyophilized powder using an insulin syringe. Inject BW slowly down the inside wall of the vial — do not spray directly onto powder. Swirl gently; do not shake.
| Vial Size | BW Volume Added | Concentration | 1mg dose (mL) | 1mg dose (IU on 100-IU syringe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5mg | 1.0mL | 5mg/mL | 0.20mL | 20 IU |
| 5mg | 2.0mL | 2.5mg/mL | 0.40mL | 40 IU |
| 10mg | 2.0mL | 5mg/mL | 0.20mL | 20 IU |
| 10mg | 4.0mL | 2.5mg/mL | 0.40mL | 40 IU |
| 10mg | 10.0mL | 1.0mg/mL | 1.00mL | 100 IU |
Common dose calculation (10mg vial, 2mL BW = 5mg/mL):
- 5mg dose = 1.0mL = 100 IU
- 2.5mg dose = 0.5mL = 50 IU
- 1mg dose = 0.2mL = 20 IU
Route of Administration
Subcutaneous (subcut) injection into the abdomen, flank, or upper thigh is preferred for convenience. Because TB-500 distributes systemically, injection site proximity to the injury is not required. Intramuscular (IM) injection near the injury site may provide a small local concentration advantage but is unproven in controlled studies. Most users prefer subcut due to lower discomfort and equivalent expected systemic exposure.
Legal Status
| Jurisdiction | Status | Schedule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Research chemical | Unscheduled | Not FDA-approved; WADA prohibited (S2) for athletes |
| UK | Not scheduled | None | Legal to possess; WADA prohibited for athletes under UKAD rules |
| Australia | Prescription only | Schedule 4 (TGA) | Prohibited substance; ASADA prohibited for competitive athletes |
| Canada | Gray market | No schedule | No approved DIN; WADA prohibited for athletes |
| EU | Generally unscheduled | Varies by country | Not harmonized across EU member states; WADA prohibited |
Storage and Stability
Lyophilized (dry powder) TB-500 is stable at room temperature for 6–12 months when stored away from heat and light. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 28–30 days. Do not freeze reconstituted solution. Mark the vial with the reconstitution date.
Related Pages
Sources
- Goldstein AL et al. Thymosin beta-4 promotes angiogenesis, wound healing, and hair follicle development. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2012. PMID 22165960
- Philp D et al. Thymosin beta4 promotes angiogenesis, wound healing, and hair follicle development. Pharmacol Ther. 2004;102(3):189-208. PMID 14749153
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the TB-500 injection site need to be near the injury?
No. TB-500 distributes systemically regardless of injection site, which is one of its key advantages over BPC-157. Subcutaneous injections in the abdomen or flank are preferred for convenience. Some practitioners use intramuscular injection near the injury for local concentration, but this is not required for systemic effect.
What is the minimum off-cycle period for TB-500?
The minimum recommended off-cycle is 4 weeks, making the standard cycle 12 weeks on followed by 4 weeks off. Continuous use beyond 12 weeks is not well studied and may reduce receptor sensitivity. Most experienced users take 8–12 weeks off between cycles.
How do I calculate the volume for a 5mg dose after standard reconstitution?
With a standard 10mg vial reconstituted with 2mL bacteriostatic water (5mg/mL), a 5mg dose equals 1.0mL — drawn as 100 units on a 100-IU insulin syringe. A 2.5mg dose equals 0.5mL (50 IU). A 1mg dose equals 0.2mL (20 IU).