TB‑500 Dosage Guide: How Much Should You Take for Recovery and Injury Repair?
TB‑500 has become one of the most sought-after healing peptides among athletes, bodybuilders, and biohackers — but without a clearly defined dosing protocol, it’s easy to misuse. Whether you’re recovering from a tendon injury, managing joint inflammation, or simply trying to speed up soft tissue repair, how you dose TB‑500 determines how effective it will be.
Because TB‑500 is sold as a research chemical, there are no FDA-approved human dosage guidelines. Most users rely on anecdotal reports, veterinary studies, and experimental protocols — which vary depending on goals, body weight, and stacking strategies.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
How much TB‑500 to use for injury recovery, joint pain, or maintenance
The difference between loading and maintenance phases
How to reconstitute and inject TB‑500 properly
What to expect from your TB‑500 cycle
Common stacking options and safety considerations
For a full breakdown of how TB‑500 works in the body, read the companion article:
TB‑500 Benefits: What the Research Says About Healing, Recovery, and Growth
What Is TB‑500 and How Does It Work?
TB‑500 is the synthetic, injectable version of a naturally occurring protein called thymosin beta‑4 (Tβ4). This peptide fragment is designed to accelerate tissue repair by enhancing cell migration, improving blood flow, and reducing inflammation at the site of injury. It’s not a steroid or a growth hormone — but it plays a vital role in soft tissue regeneration, especially in tendons, ligaments, and muscle fibers.
Once injected, TB‑500 travels through the bloodstream and activates healing mechanisms systemically, including:
Actin regulation, which improves cell movement and structural rebuilding
Angiogenesis, or new blood vessel formation, to deliver oxygen to damaged tissue
Anti-inflammatory signaling, which helps clear out damaged cells and promotes recovery
“Thymosin beta‑4 and its analog TB‑500 support tissue regeneration through enhanced cellular migration, angiogenesis, and modulation of inflammatory responses.”
— Malinda et al., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Its fast-acting, whole-body distribution makes TB‑500 a powerful recovery tool — especially when stacked with other healing peptides like BPC‑157 or HGH.
For a full list of benefits, read the full breakdown:
TB‑500 Peptide Benefits: What the Research Says About Healing, Recovery, and Growth
TB‑500 Dosage Overview
Because TB‑500 is sold as a research peptide, there are no standardized medical dosing guidelines. However, most experienced users follow a two-phase protocol: an initial loading phase to saturate the tissues, followed by a maintenance phase to support continued recovery.
Loading Phase (Weeks 1–4)
Dosage: 4 to 8 mg per week
Frequency: Split into 2 doses (e.g., 2–4 mg twice weekly)
Purpose: Quickly deliver TB‑500 to areas of inflammation or tissue damage
This phase helps the peptide accumulate in tissues that need repair — particularly ligaments, tendons, joints, or post-surgical areas.
Maintenance Phase (Weeks 5–8 or beyond)
Dosage: 2 to 6 mg per month
Frequency: One injection every 1–2 weeks
Purpose: Continue healing while preventing re-injury or flare-ups
Maintenance dosing is typically used after symptoms improve or when stacking with other healing peptides like BPC‑157.
Injection Route
Subcutaneous (SubQ): Most common, for systemic healing
Intramuscular (IM): Sometimes used locally near an injury
TB‑500’s systemic properties allow it to distribute widely through the body regardless of where it’s injected, though some users prefer IM injections for site-specific targeting.
“TB‑500 distributes rapidly after administration, targeting damaged tissues throughout the body and enhancing regeneration.”
— Sang et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences
TB‑500 Dosage by Goal
The optimal TB‑500 dose depends on your specific goal, injury severity, and how you plan to integrate it with other therapies or peptides. Below are evidence-informed and community-reported dosing ranges based on common use cases.
1. Acute Injury Recovery (Muscle, Tendon, Ligament Tears)
Loading: 6–8 mg per week (split into 2–3 injections)
Maintenance: 2–4 mg every 1–2 weeks after symptoms improve
Cycle Length: 6–8 weeks
Stacking Tip: Combine with BPC‑157 to accelerate tendon and ligament healing
2. Chronic Joint or Tendon Pain (Overuse Injuries)
Loading: 4–6 mg per week
Maintenance: 2–3 mg every 10–14 days
Cycle Length: 6–10 weeks
Goal: Reduce inflammation and encourage soft tissue regeneration
Example: Tendonitis, bursitis, rotator cuff issues, runner’s knee
3. Post-Surgical Recovery
Loading: 6–8 mg per week starting immediately after surgery (as tolerated)
Maintenance: 3–4 mg every 1–2 weeks for 6–12 weeks
Goal: Support healing of incisions, fascia, and connective tissue
Caution: Always consult your surgeon or clinician when using TB‑500 post-op
4. Injury Prevention and Recovery Support
Dosage: 2–4 mg once every 2–4 weeks
Use Case: Preventative dosing for high-volume training or during steroid cycles
Goal: Keep tissue inflammation low and mobility high in competitive athletes or aging lifters
“Peptides like TB‑500 show strong potential for mitigating overuse injuries in high-performing athletes by promoting localized repair and reducing soft tissue stress.”
— Goldstein et al., Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
How to Reconstitute and Administer TB‑500
TB‑500 is typically sold as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in 2 mg or 5 mg vials. Before use, the peptide must be reconstituted using bacteriostatic water and drawn into an insulin syringe for injection.
Always use sterile procedures when mixing, handling, or injecting peptides to avoid contamination or infection.
Step-by-Step Reconstitution Guide
Supplies Needed:
1 vial of TB‑500 (usually 2 mg)
1 mL or 2 mL bacteriostatic water
Alcohol wipes
1 mL insulin syringe
Optional: mixing syringe (3 mL) with 21–23G needle
Mixing Instructions:
Wipe both vial tops with an alcohol pad
Slowly inject 1–2 mL of bacteriostatic water into the TB‑500 vial
Tilt and swirl gently (do not shake) until the powder fully dissolves
Store the reconstituted vial in the refrigerator (stable for 7–10 days)
Dosage Calculations Example (2 mg Vial)
If you add 1 mL of bacteriostatic water to a 2 mg vial, you’ll have:
2,000 mcg per mL
200 mcg per 0.1 mL (10 IU on an insulin syringe)
Injectable doses: 0.2 mL = 400 mcg, 0.5 mL = 1,000 mcg, etc.
Example: To inject a 2 mg dose, you’d use the entire 1 mL of solution.
Injection Technique:
Subcutaneous (SubQ): Inject into abdominal fat, outer thigh, or love handle region
Intramuscular (IM): Inject near the affected muscle or joint using a 25–29G needle
Most users prefer SubQ due to comfort, ease of use, and systemic distribution. However, IM may be used for targeted injury areas.
How Long to Run a TB‑500 Cycle
Most TB‑500 protocols follow a structured 6–8 week cycle, broken into a loading phase followed by a maintenance phase. However, the total duration may vary based on injury severity, recovery goals, and whether you’re stacking it with other compounds.
Typical TB‑500 Cycle Structure
Loading Phase: Weeks 1–4
4–8 mg per week
Split into 2–3 injections
Maintenance Phase: Weeks 5–8 (or longer)
2–4 mg every 1–2 weeks
Continue until pain subsides or tissue function normalizes
For chronic joint pain or post-surgery recovery, users may extend maintenance for up to 12 weeks, tapering the dose as symptoms improve.
When to Expect Results
Many users report noticeable effects within 7 to 14 days, including:
Decreased joint stiffness or pain
Faster recovery between workouts
Improved range of motion
Less inflammation and tissue tightness
By weeks 4–6, most acute injuries begin to show measurable improvement — especially when TB‑500 is combined with BPC‑157 or HGH.
For sustained tissue health and performance, some athletes use low-dose monthly cycles as part of long-term injury prevention plans.
Stacking TB‑500 with Other Peptides
While TB‑500 offers strong standalone benefits, it becomes significantly more effective when stacked with synergistic peptides that target different aspects of the healing process. These stacks are popular among advanced users for accelerating recovery, reducing downtime, and enhancing tissue regeneration.
1. TB‑500 + BPC‑157
This is the most common and well-documented healing stack.
TB‑500 promotes systemic repair, cell migration, and angiogenesis.
BPC‑157 targets local repair, especially in tendons, ligaments, and the gastrointestinal tract.
Together, they:
Enhance collagen synthesis
Accelerate tendon and ligament healing
Improve soft tissue elasticity and strength
Reduce chronic inflammation
Explore the full stack breakdown:
TB‑500 vs BPC‑157 – Unveiling the Ultimate Healing Peptides
2. TB‑500 + MK‑677 (Ibutamoren)
MK‑677 is a growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates natural GH and IGF‑1 production. Stacking it with TB‑500 may:
Improve muscular repair
Support bone density
Accelerate joint recovery
Improve sleep and recovery quality
MK‑677 is taken orally and works systemically, making it a convenient option for long-term recovery support.
3. TB‑500 + Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
This advanced recovery stack combines two powerful agents:
TB‑500 = targeted healing and inflammation modulation
HGH = whole-body regeneration, improved tissue remodeling
This combination is often used during:
Post-surgical recovery
High-volume training cycles
Injury prevention during anabolic steroid use
Note: HGH requires careful dosing and carries legal and endocrine implications. Users should always consult a physician when considering this stack.
Side Effects at Higher Doses
While TB‑500 is generally well-tolerated, increasing the dose beyond recommended levels — or stacking it improperly — may increase the risk of side effects. Because TB‑500 affects multiple repair and growth pathways, the potential for unintended systemic effects rises with higher or prolonged use.
Reported Side Effects (Dose-Dependent)
Lethargy or fatigue — Most common during the loading phase due to systemic healing demand
Mild headaches — Often related to vascular changes from angiogenesis
Fluctuations in blood pressure — Rare but reported during aggressive dosing
Injection site irritation — Especially with frequent or high-volume SubQ injections
Water retention or slight bloating — Sometimes reported when stacked with MK‑677 or HGH
Most of these side effects are mild and resolve when the dose is reduced or the cycle ends.
Theoretical Long-Term Risks
TB‑500 enhances angiogenesis and cellular proliferation, which has raised concerns — primarily in preclinical models — about:
Accelerating growth of dormant tumors
Disrupting immune surveillance
Overstimulating wound healing in healthy tissues
There is no conclusive evidence that TB‑500 causes cancer, but its role in cell migration warrants caution, especially at high doses or long-term use without breaks.
“Peptides that regulate actin and stimulate angiogenesis may offer therapeutic benefit but must be evaluated for oncologic safety in long-term applications.”
— Xu et al., Peptides
Legal Status and Testing Concerns
Despite its popularity in performance and recovery circles, TB‑500 is not legally approved for human use and remains firmly in the “research chemical” category. Understanding the legal and testing implications is critical — especially for athletes, coaches, and medical professionals working in regulated environments.
Is TB‑500 Legal?
United States: TB‑500 is not FDA-approved and cannot be legally prescribed for human treatment. It is sold online for “research use only” and not intended for personal, therapeutic, or cosmetic application.
Other Countries: Most nations follow a similar approach — not explicitly banned, but also not licensed for medical use.
Importing, possessing, or using TB‑500 for self-administration may violate customs laws or health regulations, depending on the jurisdiction.
Is TB‑500 Banned in Sports?
Yes. TB‑500 is banned by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and listed under the S2: Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, and Related Substances category.
Prohibited at all times (in and out of competition)
USADA, NCAA, and IOC all enforce the ban
Peptide detection is increasingly common with modern testing panels
“Peptides like thymosin beta‑4 and its analogs are prohibited due to their tissue-regenerative and performance-enhancing properties.”
— WADA Prohibited List 2024
If you’re a drug-tested athlete, do not use TB‑500 under any circumstance. Even trace exposure could trigger a failed test and suspension.
Purity, Contamination, and Sourcing Risks
Most TB‑500 available online is:
Unregulated
Not third-party tested
At risk for contamination, incorrect dosing, or counterfeit contents
To minimize risk:
Source from reputable research supply vendors
Look for COA documentation (certificate of analysis)
Avoid peptides with unclear labeling or suspicious pricing
Conclusion: Are You Dosing TB‑500 Correctly?
TB‑500 is one of the most powerful recovery peptides available — but its effectiveness depends heavily on how you dose it, how long you use it, and what you stack it with. Whether you’re recovering from injury, managing chronic inflammation, or optimizing soft tissue repair, understanding proper TB‑500 dosing can make or break your results.
Key Takeaways:
Use a loading dose of 4–8 mg per week for the first 4 weeks
Follow with maintenance doses of 2–4 mg every 1–2 weeks
For best results, run a 6–8 week cycle and consider stacking with BPC‑157, MK‑677, or HGH
Administer SubQ or IM depending on your needs
Avoid exceeding dosing limits or using low-quality products
For a full breakdown of how TB‑500 compares to other healing peptides, read:
TB‑500 vs BPC‑157: Unveiling the Ultimate Healing Peptides
If you’re not ready for research peptides, consider natural joint support stacks with collagen, omega-3s, glutamine, and anti-inflammatory nutrients available through Swolverine’s recovery-focused supplements.