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The Peptide Effect
Dosage Guide

TB-500 Dosage Guide: Loading & Maintenance Protocol

Educational reference covering TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) dosage protocols, including loading and maintenance phases, reconstitution, and administration details as discussed in research literature.

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Medical Disclaimer

This guide is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Dosages described reflect ranges discussed in published research and clinical practice literature — they are not recommendations. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any peptide. Legality and availability vary by jurisdiction.

Overview

TB-500 is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring 43-amino-acid peptide Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4), which plays a central role in cell migration, angiogenesis, and tissue repair. Thymosin Beta-4 is one of the most abundant intracellular peptides and is found in all tissues and cell types except red blood cells. Research has documented its ability to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, and support recovery from musculoskeletal injuries. TB-500 is distinguished from full-length Thymosin Beta-4 by its focus on the active region responsible for actin-binding and cell-migratory properties. The dosage information below is compiled from published research and community protocols for educational reference only.

Dosing Protocols

Loading Phase

Route: Subcutaneous
Dose: 2–2.5 mg
Frequency: Twice weekly
Duration: 4–6 weeks

The loading phase is designed to establish elevated systemic levels. Inject subcutaneously into the abdomen or deltoid area. Some protocols suggest injecting closer to the site of injury when targeting a specific area, though systemic distribution occurs regardless of injection site due to the peptide's low molecular weight.

Maintenance Phase

Route: Subcutaneous
Dose: 2 mg
Frequency: Once weekly to once every two weeks
Duration: 4–8 weeks or as needed

Following the loading phase, a reduced frequency is discussed in community protocols to maintain tissue-repair benefits. Duration depends on the nature and severity of the condition being addressed.

Injury-Specific / Acute Protocol

Route: Subcutaneous
Dose: 2.5 mg
Frequency: Twice weekly
Duration: 4–6 weeks, reassess based on healing progress

Discussed in contexts of acute soft tissue injuries (tendon, ligament, muscle strains). Research in animal models has demonstrated accelerated wound closure and reduced scarring with Thymosin Beta-4 treatment.

Reconstitution & Storage

Vial sizes2 mg or 5 mg lyophilized powder per vial
Recommended water volume1–2 mL bacteriostatic water (BAC water) depending on desired concentration
StorageStore unreconstituted vials at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F) or frozen at -20 °C for long-term storage.
Stability once reconstitutedReconstituted solution is generally stable for up to 30 days when refrigerated. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Discard if solution becomes cloudy or discolored.

Use our reconstitution calculator to determine exact syringe units for your dose.

Cycle Guidance

A common cycling pattern discussed in community protocols involves 4–6 weeks of loading followed by 4–8 weeks of maintenance, then a break of similar duration before repeating if needed. The break period allows assessment of whether continued treatment is necessary. Research has not established definitive cycling requirements for TB-500, so these guidelines are based on community experience and general peptide-use principles.

Stacking Considerations

  • Most commonly discussed alongside BPC-157 in healing-focused stacks. The two peptides may act through complementary mechanisms — TB-500 promotes cell migration and angiogenesis while BPC-157 supports nitric oxide pathways and tendon healing.
  • Some protocols include GHK-Cu as a third component in recovery-oriented stacks, aiming to address tissue repair from multiple angles.
  • Discussed in combination with growth hormone secretagogues (e.g., ipamorelin, CJC-1295) for athletes focusing on recovery and body composition.
  • Not typically combined with corticosteroids, as the anti-inflammatory mechanisms may overlap or interfere.

Potential Side Effects

  • Injection site irritation, redness, or mild pain
  • Temporary lethargy or fatigue (reported by some users during loading phase)
  • Headache (usually mild and transient)
  • Temporary hair growth in unexpected areas (Thymosin Beta-4 is involved in hair follicle stem cell activation)
  • Mild nausea (uncommon)
  • Theoretical concern regarding promotion of existing tumor growth due to angiogenic properties — not confirmed in controlled studies but discussed in literature
  • Transient drop in blood pressure (rare)

Contraindications & Cautions

  • Active malignancy or history of cancer — Thymosin Beta-4 promotes angiogenesis and cell migration, which could theoretically support tumor growth
  • Known hypersensitivity to Thymosin Beta-4 or any excipients
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient safety data in humans
  • Children and adolescents — no established safety profile
  • Active systemic infections should be resolved before initiating use
  • Use with caution in individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease

Related

TB-500 Profilehealingrecoveryjoint healthinflammationbpc-157 dosageghk-cu dosage

References

  1. Thymosin β4: roles in development, repair, and engineering of the cardiovascular system (2010) — PubMed
  2. Thymosin beta4 activates integrin-linked kinase and promotes cardiac cell migration, survival and cardiac repair (2007) — PubMed
  3. Thymosin beta-4 promotes dermal wound healing via its cell migration and angiogenic properties (2005) — PubMed
  4. Thymosin β4 and its degradation products in wound healing and tissue repair (2012)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between TB-500 and Thymosin Beta-4?
TB-500 is a synthetic peptide based on the active region of the full-length 43-amino-acid Thymosin Beta-4 protein. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in community discussions, TB-500 specifically refers to the commercially synthesized fragment that contains the actin-binding domain responsible for cell migration and tissue repair. Full-length Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4) is the naturally occurring protein used in clinical research studies.
Why does TB-500 use a loading and maintenance protocol?
The loading phase (higher frequency dosing for 4–6 weeks) is discussed as a way to rapidly achieve therapeutic tissue levels of the peptide, particularly for addressing acute injuries. The subsequent maintenance phase reduces dosing frequency to sustain benefits while minimizing total peptide exposure. This biphasic approach is common in peptide protocols and is based on the pharmacokinetic principle of achieving steady-state tissue concentrations.
Does it matter where TB-500 is injected?
TB-500 has a relatively low molecular weight and distributes systemically after subcutaneous injection regardless of the injection site. Some community protocols suggest injecting near the injury site, but this is not supported by pharmacokinetic evidence specific to TB-500. Standard subcutaneous injection sites (abdomen, deltoid, thigh) are all considered acceptable.
Can TB-500 be combined with BPC-157?
Combining TB-500 with BPC-157 is one of the most commonly discussed peptide stacks for healing and recovery. The rationale is that they appear to act through different but complementary mechanisms — TB-500 promotes actin polymerization and cell migration, while BPC-157 supports nitric oxide-mediated angiogenesis and tendon repair. There are no published clinical trials evaluating this specific combination in humans.
How long does TB-500 take to work?
In animal studies, Thymosin Beta-4 has shown measurable effects on wound healing within 1–2 weeks. In community reports, users typically describe noticing improvements in joint comfort, flexibility, or injury-related pain within 2–4 weeks of starting the loading phase. Full recovery from significant injuries may take the complete loading and maintenance cycle of 8–14 weeks.
Is TB-500 detectable in drug tests?
Yes. Thymosin Beta-4 and its metabolites are on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list under category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics). Detection methods have been developed that can identify TB-500 use in urine and blood samples. Athletes subject to anti-doping testing should be aware of this classification.