HGH Reconstitution Concentration
After adding 1 mL bacteriostatic water to a 10 IU vial of HGH, the concentration is 10 IU per mL (or 10 IU per 1 mL total volume).
Concentration Calculation
- When you reconstitute a 10 IU vial with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, the resulting concentration is 10 IU/mL 1
- The lyophilized powder contributes negligible volume (approximately 0.1 mL or less for small peptide vials), so the final volume remains approximately 1 mL 2
- This means each 0.1 mL (10 units on an insulin syringe) contains 1 IU of HGH 1
Proper Reconstitution Technique
Aseptic preparation is critical to prevent contamination:
- Sanitize the vial stopper with 70% isopropanol before needle insertion to prevent microbial contamination 3, 1
- Maintain strict sterile technique throughout, avoiding contact of needles, syringes, or stoppers with non-sterile surfaces 3, 1
- Inject the bacteriostatic water slowly down the side of the vial to minimize foaming and preserve the protein structure 1
- Gently swirl (do not shake vigorously) until the powder is fully dissolved, as vigorous shaking can denature the growth hormone 1
- Perform a visual inspection after mixing for clarity and absence of particulate matter 3, 1
Storage and Stability Considerations
Reconstituted HGH requires refrigeration and has limited shelf-life:
- Store the reconstituted solution at 2-8°C (36-46°F) immediately after preparation 1
- Bacteriostatic water contains approximately 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, permitting multi-dose use for up to 28 days when refrigerated 1, 4
- Discard if the solution becomes discolored or contains particulate matter 1
- Growth hormone is susceptible to degradation through deamidation and oxidation pathways, particularly at room temperature 5
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Never use sterile water without preservative for multi-dose vials, as this significantly increases contamination risk 1
- Bacterial contamination of growth hormone vials and injection equipment occurs in 3.5-5.3% of cases during home use, emphasizing the importance of proper technique 6
- Do not reconstitute powder that appears discolored or has been exposed to moisture prior to mixing 1
- Avoid over-dilution, which can compromise stability and require larger injection volumes 1, 4