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Research only

TB-500

aka Thymosin Beta-4 fragment

Lab-made copy of the working part of a natural healing protein (Thymosin Beta-4).

Technically · Synthetic peptide (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment)

muscle recoverywound healingjoint pain
TB-500
The vial
T5
The molecule

In one sentence

BPC-157's recovery partner — drives cell migration to injury sites so tissue rebuilds faster.

Think of it as a traffic cop that sends repair crews wherever your body is hurt.

Half-life

~2 hours

About 2 hours active — dosed a couple times per week.

Dosing

Loading: 2× weekly for 4 weeks. Maintenance: 1× weekly for 4 weeks.

How often you take a dose

Route

SubQ · IM

How it goes into the body

Status

Research

Sold for lab research — not approved for humans

Education only. Many compounds discussed are research chemicals not approved for human use in the US. This is not medical advice — consult a licensed physician.

What it is

Your body makes a protein called Thymosin Beta-4 that helps tissue repair itself. TB-500 is the synthetic copy of the active piece. Used alongside BPC-157 for tendon, ligament, and soft-tissue healing. Like BPC-157, there are no published human trials yet.

The full technical answer

Synthetic version of the active region of thymosin beta-4. Studied alongside BPC-157 for soft tissue repair. No published human RCTs.

How it works

It helps cells move to where the damage is, builds new blood vessels at injury sites, and speeds up tissue regrowth. Think of it as the GPS that routes healing cells where they're needed.

The full technical answer

Animal studies suggest it promotes actin sequestration, cell migration, and angiogenesis — useful for wound healing and tissue regeneration.

ExtracellularInside the cellActin sequestrationReceptorVEGF angiogenesisReceptorpeptidedownstream signaling
Receptors hit: Actin sequestration, VEGF angiogenesis. The peptide binds the receptor on the cell surface, triggering downstream signaling inside the cell.

What the research says

Animal studies show accelerated wound healing and cardiac repair. Used clinically in veterinary medicine. No human RCTs published.

Sources: PubMed: TB-500

Common dosing ranges

Range
1–2 mg per dose (anecdotal protocols)
Frequency
Loading: 2× weekly for 4 weeks. Maintenance: 1× weekly for 4 weeks.
Duration
8 weeks typical

Sources: PubMed reviews

How to take it

Practical guidance synthesized from clinical protocols, FDA labels, and clinician interviews. Always cross-check with a prescribing physician.

Best time of day

AM is typical. Some users experience post-injection lethargy — schedule accordingly.

With food or fasted

Doesn't matter for SubQ or IM injection.

How long to cycle

Loading phase: 2× per week for 4 weeks. Maintenance: 1× per week for another 4 weeks. Total 8 weeks per cycle.

When to get off

End each 8-week cycle. Allow at least 4 weeks rest before next cycle. Stop entirely if any active or suspected cancer (theoretical angiogenesis risk).

Administration

SubQ
IM

Side effects

Common

  • Lethargy after injection
  • Injection site reaction

Serious / theoretical

  • Unknown long-term human safety; theoretical concern with active malignancy due to angiogenesis

Sources: PubMed

Notes

FDA placed TB-500 on the 503A "Category 2" bulks list in 2023.

Often compared