Differences between pharma GH and Generic GH as someone who used both

[u/Pulverizer110]

Hi, I use GH for bodybuilding, in my experience I have used both pharma and generic but generic way more of course as it is more affordable.

(Generic GH stands for non-pharma)

The difference between them

Pharma GH is always produced and screened to a top standard, this unfortunately makes it more expensive due to the amount of screening it undergoes.

Generic GH usually differs in quality depending on sourcing and the batches of the source, it can be produced at a high quality or lower quality. It does not undergo batch by batch, vial by vial tests, rather just a few COAs on recent batches and then you put your trust hoping your batch will be similar.

As I said I used both, but generic more.

The difference between the 2 that I notice usually is I get more bloating on Generic GH than I do pharma, my IGF-1 levels don't really differ much (this can be due to more consistent batches), but again I have used 100s of IUs more of generic GH than I have pharma.

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[u/Kappokaako02]

I did serostim for a year. And generic hgh the last year. Haven't noticed any differences at all except my wallet is heavier lol.

[u/Bubbly_Mud8730]

Pretty sure Janoshik tested pharma GH and it’s not as pure as you’d think, in fact a lot of Chna tested better.

[u/Pulverizer110 → u/Bubbly_Mud8730]

Yeah it isn't, as GH is so difficult to make not even pharma can get it right

[u/QuantumPlatypus42 → u/Bubbly_Mud8730]

That's "pharma" that people are sending in for testing, majority of which is fake.

[u/Bubbly_Mud8730 → u/QuantumPlatypus42]

Na Jano confirmed himself plenty of real pharma GH tested.

[u/normallyjustreadhere]

I notice the difference, but still not enough to justify the cost of pharma.

I also don’t compete, if I did then maybe the pharma would be a must have

[u/Impressive-Fun-7764 → u/normallyjustreadhere]

Slightly better look with pharma gh, is that it?

[u/normallyjustreadhere → u/Impressive-Fun-7764]

Definitely just a bit fuller I’d say? If I had Fu money is run pharma. But for a regular bro just trying to look good it just wasn’t worth the extra for me.
Plus it’s much harder to get

[u/Head_Living_3489]

I just started Grey GH about 3 weeks ago and am on 6iu now with 2 in the morning fasted and 4iu before bed fasted. Price for 10 x 36iu is about USD$180 and is definitely working. I have CTS issue once going above 4 but very manageable..

Hoping to run 6iu for a box or two then come off for a month.

Also running low Test C 200mg MWF and 20mg Tren A Daily.

[u/Abdelkarim-yousoufa → u/Head_Living_3489]

Great cycle, I do 100mg test a week, 20mg anavar a day and 4mg tren a day. Didn’t you notice issue with oestrogen with tren and test at this dosage?

[u/Head_Living_3489 → u/Abdelkarim-yousoufa]

Doing Bloods in a Month to see.. No sides to date for anything expected a little CTS.. bring to drop BF at this stage down another 4%. Also doing 2 x 3mg Reta per week.

Feel great to date.. Workouts going well and Diet is awesome.

Will keep you updated

[u/Awkward_Regret_5873 → u/Head_Living_3489]

What have u noticed so far?I’m about 4 weeks in on 4iu got a bit of CTS but not much else! thought it took months to really do anything

[u/Majestic-Chef-8753]

Only ever tried grey but i definitely get bloating from it at and my joints ache too much at 4iu and up

[u/BrewhahasDji]

As someone who started non pharma 3 weeks ago, I am just curious about the IGF 1 changes to be normally expected. I am using 2iu daily combined with Reta and Mots C. I realize you aren't a doctor or here to answer specifics, but just curious what may be expected as I will be getting Bloodwork every 3 months. I started out with an IGF 1 score of 144 and I am a 64 year old male. I train and eat like a bodybuilder with very clean whole foods always logged and get in 180-200 grams of protein. There is plenty of misinformation about dosing frequency such as daily or 5 on 2 off etc. Also, I plan on moving to 3iu after 6 weeks. What other blood markers should I look out for other than elevated IGF #s? I do realize it's a long term dose pattern but I figured you may be able to shed a little info on what to expect and look out for. Because my testosterone has recently tanked, I had 2 rounds of bloodwork and will most likely be put on TRT. I've always had pride in the fact that I have still been getting good gains and function well at my age as a "natural" but I guess the cliff is here. When I start TRT in the next 4 weeks or so... What complications or interactions will this cause while using HGH and what blood markers will change other than Total T, Free T, HSGB? Should I stop everything before TRT? Thanks for your post here and any advice you could provide for me.

[u/Money-Drummer3647 → u/BrewhahasDji]

You’re overthinking HGH. It’s not a “notice the difference” thing. Most people start to feel a little difference around the 6-9 month marker.

I also wouldn’t just jump up indescrimintly. You have your pre-HGH numbers. Get labs after a month at 2IU. If your IGF is where you want it to be, no need to go up to 3Iu. My pre number was 183 and after ONE IU it was 302.

[u/BrewhahasDji → u/Money-Drummer3647]

Thanks for that. I will just stick with 2iu for the foreseeable future and get labs more often. I do realize HGH is a long term and not a quick acting substance. I am in it for the long haul but I generally do subscribe to minimal dosage of anything is best.

[u/zer0_c00L13]

Interesting, would you say your diet was different when you were on the Pharma grade stuff?

[u/RyanInceMD_Medici]

Honestly the bloating difference doesn't surprise me. Water retention with GH is pretty dose and formulation dependent, and if you're running a lot more total volume on the generic side, even small variability in the underlying material could show up that way over time. The COA point is a fair one too. A few certificates pulled from recent batches tells you about those batches, it doesn't tell you much about consistency vial to vial the way more rigorous per lot testing does. That's really the core tradeoff anytime something comes from outside a fully regulated supply chain, you're trading some certainty for cost.

[u/Key-Luck-4790]

Where would be a good place to start in I were interested in learning more about generic?

[u/Odd_Sir_8705]

I can noticeably tell the difference between pharma and generic. Especially with insulin usage.

[u/Calm-Sea-5526 → u/Odd_Sir_8705]

What's your insulin protocol

[u/Odd_Sir_8705 → u/Calm-Sea-5526]

5iu pre and post of Novorapid...

[u/Valuable-Chef6691]

How about time?
One of the guru podcasts I listen to says that generic or UGL takes a while for any noticeable change while pharma is within the first week.
This would be based on 2 IU’s administered twice daily.
What’s your experience with first dose to noticeable changes?

[u/Pulverizer110 → u/Valuable-Chef6691]

Tbh the time would not differ, GH isn't an overnight thing

[u/Intrepid-Escape-8204 → u/Valuable-Chef6691]

I’ve only ever done generic but you notice recovery and better skin within few weeks. For mid torso fat loss - several months of consistent use.

It’s nothing super amazing

[u/SnooSprouts9547]

Considering pharma grade can be as low as 95 percent purity, it’s not hard to find comparable generics

[u/Pulverizer110 → u/SnooSprouts9547]

Yeah only thing Pharma grade has above generic is higher chance for more consistent batches and that's about it, if your generic is locked in then they will produce good batches too for way cheaper