What should you ask for before buying research HGH (somatropin)?
Getting a quote on research HGH (somatropin) has a catch that small peptides don't: almost everyone sells it in IU, international units, not milligrams. On top of that, somatropin is a large protein, so the famous "99% HPLC" tells you less than half the story. This guide covers what information to ask for, how to compare prices in the same unit, and which tests actually matter.
The short answer
When you ask for an HGH quote, get the IU per vial and, more importantly, how many milligrams that is; the batch number and its COA; and confirmation that it's research material (RUO). To compare, put everything in the same unit: as a reference, 1 mg of somatropin equals about 3 IU under the WHO international standard. For purity, besides HPLC, ask for the test that measures aggregates and the mass by mass spectrometry, which is about 22,125 daltons.
What should I ask for when buying HGH?
- IU per vial and milligrams. If the supplier only gives IU, ask how many milligrams that is. If they don't know, that tells you something.
- Lyophilized form. Dry powder in a sealed vial.
- Recombinant origin. Somatropin is made in bacteria using recombinant DNA. It isn't synthesized like a small peptide. It's worth asking how it was made.
- Total price with shipping and payment fees.
- Batch number and its COA, for the vial you're going to receive.
- Stated use as research-only material.
How do I convert HGH IU to mg?
An IU is a measure of activity, not weight. For somatropin, the WHO international standard sets the conversion at about 3 IU per milligram. With that you can go from one unit to the other:
| IU on the label | Approximate milligrams |
|---|---|
| 10 IU | 3.3 mg |
| 12 IU | 4 mg |
| 36 IU | 12 mg |
An honest point almost nobody mentions: actually measuring IU requires testing against a reference standard. With research material, the IU on the label is usually converted from milligrams, not measured as activity. That's why the quote should give you both numbers.
How do I compare somatropin between suppliers?
Put every quote in price per IU (or per milligram) and add shipping. Using our vial as an example:
| Vial | Price | Per IU | Approx. per mg | With $180 shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HGH 12 IU (about 4 mg) | $480 MXN | $40 | $120 | $55 per IU |
Run the same math for each supplier. If one sells "10 IU" and another "12 IU" at the same price, the 12 IU one is 17% cheaper per unit. And on single-vial orders, shipping changes the result a lot. At Égida it's free over $2,000 MXN.
The current price is on the product page for 12 IU HGH somatropin.
What HPLC purity should HGH have?
On the market you'll see "≥98%" or "≥99%." That number comes from HPLC and it's good for spotting variants of the molecule, like forms that oxidized or changed over time. But a 191-amino-acid protein has a problem small peptides don't: the molecules can stick together and form aggregates, and reversed-phase HPLC doesn't always show them.
So for HGH, ask for four things:
- HPLC with its chromatogram, for the variants.
- A size test (size-exclusion chromatography, SEC), which is the one that detects aggregates.
- Mass by mass spectrometry, close to 22,125 Da.
- Peptide mapping if the lab does it: it cuts the protein into pieces and confirms the sequence is correct. It's the identity test the pharmacopoeias use.
An HGH COA that only says "99% HPLC" with none of the other tests is incomplete for a protein. We explain it in more detail in what HGH somatropin is, and the guide to reading a COA helps you check the document line by line.
What are the red flags?
- IU only, no milligrams, and nobody can tell you how many it is.
- A COA with just a percentage and no chromatogram, mass, or lab name.
- Pens or ready-made solutions sold as "the same as the pharmacy one."
- Promises of results in people or instructions for personal use.
- A price per IU far below everyone else's.
What if I'm looking for the prescription drug?
Somatropin also exists as a registered drug. That version is sold in pharmacies with a prescription and is prescribed by a doctor. If you need somatropin as a treatment, that is for a doctor with a prescription, not a supplier of research material.
Égida's HGH is research material in a lyophilized vial. It is not intended for human consumption and we don't sell it for personal use. The full framework is on our compliance page.
How does shipping and delivery work?
We ship from Guadalajara to anywhere in Mexico in 24 to 72 business hours, with a tracking number and plain packaging. The details are in how a peptide order arrives.
Somatropin is more heat-sensitive than a small peptide. When it arrives, check that the powder looks dry and the seal is intact, and get it into the fridge as soon as you can. The guide on how to store peptides explains why, and the calculator helps with concentration when reconstituting.
If you also work with other hormone-related compounds, take a look at 5 mg kisspeptin.
Sources
- Bristow AF, Jespersen AM. The second international standard for somatropin (recombinant DNA-derived human growth hormone): preparation and calibration in an international collaborative study. Biologicals. 2001;29(2):97-106. PubMed 11580214
- Bayol A, Bristow A, Charton E, Girard M, Jongen P. Somatropin and its variants: structural characterization and methods of analysis. Pharmeuropa Bio. 2004;(1):35-45. PubMed 15659284