ACTH 1-39 protocol

Specialist / diagnostic

Condition-specific · Per clinical protocol

No physique or wellness protocol. ACTH stimulation testing and approved indications are physician-administered. Not for self-use.

Phase	How often	Dose	Units	Notes
Specialist / diagnostic	Per clinical protocol	Condition-specific	–	No physique or wellness protocol. ACTH stimulation testing and approved indications are physician-administered. Not for self-use.

What to expect

A cortisol surge. Not a beneficial outcome for general fitness/wellness, this is a diagnostic/therapeutic agent.

Men & women

Dosed by the adrenal / diagnostic protocol, not sex; raises cortisol in both sexes. Physician-administered. Avoid in pregnancy unless specifically indicated.

Recommended mixes

Vial	Water	Strength
5 mg	5 mL	1 mg/mL

5 mg: Unstable in solution, use within ~14 days (research-grade), refrigerated.

Storage

PowderFreeze-dried: -4°F.
MixedReconstituted: refrigerate; unstable, short-dated.

Don't use if: Self-administration for performance/wellness (no legitimate use) · Active infection (cortisol suppresses immunity) · Uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer, osteoporosis · Pregnancy and lactation

Stop if you notice

Any self-use, this should not be self-administered
Signs of cortisol excess (swelling, high glucose, mood changes)
Any infection

Side effects

Cortisol-excess effects: fluid retention, hypertension, hyperglycemia, mood changes, immune suppression, muscle catabolism, HPA-axis suppression.

Drug interactions

Diabetes medications: cortisol raises glucose, opposes them. Live vaccines: avoid (immune suppression). Diuretics: additive potassium loss / fluid effects.

Labs

Cortisol, glucose, electrolytes, blood pressure; under clinical supervision only

What these labs mean →

Warnings

Cortisol excess: muscle loss, immune suppression, hyperglycemia, hypertension, bone loss, mood disturbance. HPA-axis suppression with repeated use. Unstable in solution, potency/quality concerns. Physician-administered agent, not a research-peptide for self-use.

Patient education

This is a diagnostic/specialist hormone, not a wellness or performance peptide. Deliberately raising cortisol harms muscle, immunity, and metabolism. Included for catalog completeness only, use belongs with a physician. Do not self-administer.

These apply on top of the universal safety rules.

Avoid with

Self-administration

Infection, diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer, osteoporosis, mood disorders

Pregnancy

Essentially: not for DIY use

What it does

ACTH(1-39) is the 39-amino-acid adrenocorticotropic hormone, a potent MC2-receptor agonist that drives adrenal cortisol (and androgen/aldosterone) output; the core of the HPA stress axis. Clinically, ACTH-type drugs are used to test adrenal function and to treat specific conditions (e.g. infantile spasms, some inflammatory disorders) under specialist care. Unstable in solution.

Caution

Caution: deliberately raising cortisol has serious downsides (muscle loss, immune suppression, glucose elevation, blood-pressure and mood effects, HPA disruption). This compound is included for completeness; there is no legitimate self-administered performance use.

Supply math

Not applicable, specialist/diagnostic use only, no self-administered protocol.

Pairs well with

N/A, not a stacking compound.

References

rxlist dailymed PubMed

From the guide, page 14.