GHK-Cu vs TB-500
GHK-Cu: Copper tripeptide. TB-500: Thymosin beta-4 fragment. Per milligram, GHK-Cu is cheaper right now (USD 0.019 vs USD 0.850 at the cheapest tested vendor). GHK-Cu has stronger published evidence (grade B vs D). Prices per mg compare cost, not effect: the amounts used in studies differ between compounds.
GHK-Cu
Glycyl-histidyl-lysine bound to copper, found naturally in blood. Supports collagen production and wound healing; widely used in skin and hair cosmetics, injected forms are experimental.
- What it is
- Copper tripeptide
- Category
- Skin, hair & tanning
- Status
- Cosmetic ingredient; injectable use is not approved.
- Cheapest
- USD 0.019 per mg (Royal Peptides)
- Median price
- USD 0.450 per mg
- Vendors
- 93 independently tested, 37 with a lab report
- Research
- Grade B: Some human evidence (14 papers)
- Studied as
- studied in people
TB-500
A synthetic version of the active region of thymosin beta-4, a protein that helps cells move and build new blood vessels. Studied in animals for wound, muscle and tendon repair.
- What it is
- Thymosin beta-4 fragment
- Category
- Healing & recovery
- Status
- Not approved. Prohibited in sport (WADA).
- Cheapest
- USD 0.850 per mg (Uther)
- Median price
- USD 4.50 per mg
- Vendors
- 83 independently tested, 21 with a lab report
- Research
- Grade D: Little or no evidence (11 papers)
- Studied as
- studied in people
- Reported side effects
- Mild to moderate adverse events with intravenous full-length thymosin beta-4 (no serious events or dose-limiting toxicity)
Cheapest tested vendors for GHK-Cu and TB-500
Lowest price per milligram at up to three independently tested vendors each. Rankings are by price only; open a vendor to see its lab results.
| Peptide | Vendor | Per mg |
|---|---|---|
| GHK-Cu | Royal Peptides | USD 0.019 |
| Eros Peptides | USD 0.020 | |
| Evolve BioPep | USD 0.020 | |
| TB-500 | Uther | USD 0.850 |
| Barn | USD 1.10 | |
| BeiBangAn | USD 1.10 |
Questions people ask
What is the difference between GHK-Cu and TB-500?
GHK-Cu: Copper tripeptide. TB-500: Thymosin beta-4 fragment. Per milligram, GHK-Cu is cheaper right now (USD 0.019 vs USD 0.850 at the cheapest tested vendor). GHK-Cu has stronger published evidence (grade B vs D). Prices per mg compare cost, not effect: the amounts used in studies differ between compounds.
Which is cheaper, GHK-Cu or TB-500?
GHK-Cu is cheaper per mg: USD 0.019 for GHK-Cu vs USD 0.850 for TB-500 at the cheapest independently tested vendor. The median listing is USD 0.450 per mg for GHK-Cu and USD 4.50 per mg for TB-500.
Which is easier to find from a tested vendor, GHK-Cu or TB-500?
GHK-Cu is sold by more independently tested vendors: 93 list GHK-Cu (37 publish a lab report for it) and 83 list TB-500 (21 with a lab report).
Which has more published research, GHK-Cu or TB-500?
GHK-Cu is graded B (some human evidence) from 14 papers and TB-500 is graded D (little or no evidence) from 11 papers. Grades count studies of the exact compound only; they describe how much evidence exists, not which one is better.
Are GHK-Cu and TB-500 FDA approved?
GHK-Cu: Cosmetic ingredient; injectable use is not approved. TB-500: Not approved. Prohibited in sport (WADA).