TB-500 is the systemic counterpart to BPC-157. Where BPC works best near the injection site, TB-500 travels through your bloodstream and promotes healing wherever inflammation is happening. It tells your body to produce more of a protein called actin, which is basically what helps your cells move to where the damage is and start fixing it. Most people run it alongside BPC-157. BPC for the targeted fix, TB-500 for the full-body tune-up. The loading/maintenance structure means you front-load healing then taper down.
TB-500 Protocol
Dose: 2-2.5mg per injection | Frequency: 2x/week during loading (4-6 weeks), then 1x/week maintenance | Cycle: 6-12 weeks total, then 4 weeks off | Route: SubQ
Unlike BPC-157, injection site doesn't matter much. TB-500 is systemic. Belly or glute is fine. The loading phase is important, don't skip it.
TB-500 Effects
Systemic recovery (72%). You bounce back faster from workouts, injuries, and surgery. The whole body, not just one spot.
Joint mobility (60%). Your joints stop feeling like they need WD-40. Range of motion improves, morning stiffness drops.
Reduced inflammation (58%). Less overall soreness. That background ache you've been ignoring? It gets quieter.
Hair growth (25%). Anecdotal but commonly reported. Some users notice thicker or faster-growing hair
TB-500 Side Effects
Injection-site irritation (15%). Little red bump where you pinned. Clears within a day. Rotate your spots.
Fatigue (12%). You might feel wiped for a day or two after pinning, especially during loading. Your body's prioritizing repair.
Lightheadedness (8%). Brief head rush right after pinning. Sit down for a minute and it passes.
Headache (6%). Mild headache sometimes, more likely if you're dosing on the higher end.
TB-500 Dosing by Use Case
Condition
Dose
Duration
Notes
Systemic recovery and inflammation
2-2.5mg 2x/week (loading 4-6 weeks), then 1x/week
6-12 weeks total
The primary use case. TB-500 kicks your body's repair cells into gear and sends them everywhere, not just one spot. Unlike BPC-157, injection site doesn't matter. Belly or glute is fine. The loading phase front-loads healing, maintenance sustains it.
Joint mobility and chronic stiffness
2mg 2x/week
6-8 weeks
For the "everything hurts a little" person. TB-500 reduces chronic low-grade inflammation in joints and soft tissue. Range of motion improves within 2-3 weeks for most people.
BPC-157 + TB-500 recovery stack
2mg TB-500 2x/week + 250-500mcg BPC-157 daily
6-8 weeks
The gold standard recovery stack. BPC-157 targets the specific injury locally. TB-500 cleans up systemic inflammation. Run them on the same cycle. Different injection sites are fine.
Hair growth support
2mg 2x/week
8-12 weeks for visible results
Anecdotal but commonly reported. TB-500 (thymosin beta-4) was shown to induce hair growth via stem cell migration in animal studies. Results are modest. Some people stack with GHK-Cu for the collagen layer.
TB-500 Results Timeline
Week 1-2, Loading phase begins: The front-loading 2x/week dosing is building up TB-500 levels systemically. You might feel more tired as your body prioritizes repair. Some people notice reduced morning stiffness within the first week.
Week 2-4, Inflammation dropping: General soreness decreasing. Joints feel looser. Recovery between training sessions shortens. Your cells are literally traveling to the damaged areas and getting to work.
Week 4-8, Peak healing phase: Transition from loading (2x/week) to maintenance (1x/week). Mobility improvements are noticeable. Chronic aches that you assumed were permanent start resolving. If stacking with BPC-157, the targeted injury should be significantly improved.
Week 8-12, Consolidation: Benefits stabilize. Body composition may shift slightly from reduced inflammation and improved recovery capacity. Cycle off for 4 weeks. Hair growth effects (if any) become visible around this point.
Frequently Asked Questions About TB-500
What is TB-500?
TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4, a naturally occurring protein your body makes for wound healing and tissue repair. It upregulates actin, a protein that drives cell migration, proliferation, and wound closure. Unlike BPC-157 which works best near the injection site, TB-500 is systemic. It travels through your bloodstream and promotes healing wherever inflammation is happening.
What is the best TB-500 dosage?
2-2.5mg subcutaneously twice per week during the loading phase (4-6 weeks). Then drop to 2mg once per week for maintenance. The loading/maintenance structure is important. You front-load to build up circulating levels, then maintain them. For a 5mg vial reconstituted with 2mL bacteriostatic water, 2mg is 80 units on a U-100 insulin syringe.
TB-500 vs BPC-157: what's the difference?
BPC-157 is local. TB-500 is systemic. BPC-157 works best when injected near the injury site and targets tissue repair at that location. TB-500 works regardless of where you inject because it travels through the bloodstream. Most people run both together: BPC-157 for the specific injury, TB-500 for full-body inflammation and recovery. The wolverine stack.
What are the side effects of TB-500?
Injection-site irritation (15%), fatigue (12%) especially during loading as your body prioritizes repair, lightheadedness (8%) right after pinning, and mild headache (6%). The fatigue is counterintuitive for a recovery compound. Your body is using energy to heal. It passes after the first week or two.
Does TB-500 help with hair growth?
Animal studies showed thymosin beta-4 induces hair growth via stem cell migration and differentiation (Philp et al. 2007, Gao et al. 2015). Community reports are mixed. Some people notice thicker, faster-growing hair after 8-12 weeks. Results are modest compared to minoxidil. If hair is your primary goal, GHK-Cu is more targeted for that. TB-500 is a bonus effect, not the main event.
How do you reconstitute TB-500?
Add 2mL of bacteriostatic water to a 5mg vial. That gives you 2,500mcg (2.5mg) per mL. For a 2mg dose, draw 80 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. For 2.5mg, draw 100 units (1mL). Aim the water at the glass wall. Swirl gently. Never shake. Refrigerate after reconstitution. Use within 3-4 weeks.
Does injection site matter for TB-500?
No. TB-500 is systemic. It enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body regardless of where you inject. Belly or glute are both fine. This is the main practical difference from BPC-157, where injecting near the injury site matters. Some people rotate between abdomen, thigh, and glute for injection site comfort.
What is the wolverine stack?
BPC-157 + TB-500. Named after the fictional character who heals from everything. BPC-157 (250-500mcg daily, near the injury) handles local tissue repair. TB-500 (2-2.5mg, 2x/week during loading) handles systemic inflammation and recovery. Together they cover more ground than either alone. The most popular recovery stack in the community.
Emerging evidence. TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4, a naturally occurring protein your body already makes. Strong preclinical data on wound healing, cardiac repair, and inflammation. No completed human RCTs, but the parent protein (thymosin beta-4) has been in clinical trials for wound healing and dry eye.
Approval status: Not approved
References
Malinda KM, et al. Thymosin beta4 accelerates wound healing. J Invest Dermatol, 1999. PMID 10469335
Bock-Marquette I, et al. Thymosin beta4 activates integrin-linked kinase and promotes cardiac cell migration, survival and cardiac repair. Nature, 2004. PMID 15565145
Guarnera G, et al. Thymosin beta-4 and venous ulcers: clinical remarks on a European prospective, randomized study on safety, tolerability, and enhancement on healing. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 2007. PMID 17495250
Philp D, et al. Thymosin beta 4 induces hair growth via stem cell migration and differentiation. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 2007. PMID 17947589
Goldstein AL, et al. Thymosin β4: a multi-functional regenerative peptide. Basic properties and clinical applications. Expert Opin Biol Ther, 2012. PMID 22074294
Lyophilized: Refrigerate for long-term storage. Stable at room temperature for short periods during shipping.
Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2-8C. Use within 3-4 weeks.
Water: Bacteriostatic water, 2mL per 5mg vial.
Needle: 29-30 gauge, 0.5 inch for subcutaneous injection
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for educational purposes only. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any protocol. vialprep sells injection supplies, not compounds.
