Question about GH timing (pre-bed vs post-workout)

[Vasskol]

I know the general best practice is taking GH pre-bed. However, on 1–2 days per week (due to schedule/cohabitation), I’m not always able to take it at night. On those days, I move it to post-workout instead, trying to create a low-insulin window.

This is what I currently do:

• 15:00 → Pre-workout meal (~800 kcal, mixed macros)
• 17:00–19:00 → Training + intra (30g dextrose + 30g clear whey or EAA)
• 19:15 → Blood glucose check (usually ~90–100 mg/dL)
• 19:30–20:00 → 5 IU GH
• 22:30 → Last meal (≈3 hours after GH)

The idea is to avoid stacking GH on top of high glucose/high insulin and instead use it in a relatively lower insulin state.

My questions:

1. Is this a reasonable alternative to pre-bed GH, or am I missing something physiologically?
2. Could this approach negatively affect insulin sensitivity or pancreatic stress long-term?
3. Would you adjust anything (reduce intra carbs, extend the gap, lower GH dose, or simply skip GH on those days)?

Goal is optimization and long-term metabolic health — not just short-term performance.

Appreciate any input.

 

[Elektrobot]

I'd just skip it on the days you can't take it before bed

 

[Billbo98]

I'd just skip it on the days you can't take it before bed

Best answer honestly.

 

[Vasskol]

I'd just skip it on the days you can't take it before bed

Thanks for the suggestion. Can I ask why you consider skipping better? I’m genuinely curious about your reasoning. When I take GH pre-bed (5 IU), I often wake up around 4:00 am and my sleep quality seems worse.

On the days I take it post-workout (as I described), I actually sleep much better overall.
So I’m trying to understand:

• Why would skipping the dose be better than taking it post-workout with a controlled gap from food and lower glucose/insulin?
• Is there a specific physiological downside to the post-workout timing that I’m missing?
• From a health perspective (insulin sensitivity / pancreas stress), do you see a risk with the way I’m doing it?
• I’m not trying to argue, just trying to understand the rationale so I can optimize without doing something dumb.

 

[Billbo98]

Thanks for the suggestion. Can I ask why you consider skipping better? I’m genuinely curious about your reasoning. When I take GH pre-bed (5 IU), I often wake up around 4:00 am and my sleep quality seems worse.

On the days I take it post-workout (as I described), I actually sleep much better overall.
So I’m trying to understand:

• Why would skipping the dose be better than taking it post-workout with a controlled gap from food and lower glucose/insulin?
• Is there a specific physiological downside to the post-workout timing that I’m missing?
• From a health perspective (insulin sensitivity / pancreas stress), do you see a risk with the way I’m doing it?
• I’m not trying to argue, just trying to understand the rationale so I can optimize without doing something dumb.

If sleep is bad when taking pre bed you can move first thing in AM. It may make you really lethargic though.

At night makes the most sense because your fasting the longest without food and that’s how Pharma says to take it on the pamphlets who are we to argue with it

 

[WinnyCanIdrinkIt]

Why simply just before breakfast ?

 

[Vasskol]

Why simply just before breakfast ?

Thanks for the question. Makes me sleepy. What is the problem with the post workout as described ? Thanks

 

[shredded.lyfe]

I just do it as soon as I wake up, usually don't eat anything until 11 am anyway and there were recent studies proving men do better fasting through the mornings and women's most important meal is breakfast

 

[Vasskol]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I appreciate it.

But I think my actual question hasn’t been answered yet.

I fully understand that pre-bed GH is considered best practice.

The issue is that on some days I simply cannot take it at night due to schedule/living situation.

On those days I take it post-workout, like this:

• solid pre-workout meal
• intra carbs + protein
• blood glucose usually <100 mg/dL before injection
• then GH post-workout and last meal ~3 hours later

So my question is simple:

Is there anything actually wrong or risky with doing GH post-workout in this setup?

(or is it just “not optimal” compared to pre-bed?)

I’m not asking what is ideal — I’m asking if this approach is problematic in any way.

Thanks again

 

[BigDadd7]

Thanks for the question. Makes me sleepy. What is the problem with the post workout as described ? Thanks

That's like asking, "Can I take it 2:17 pm?" You can take it whenever you want. All the pharma studies were done before bed. Alternatively, you can take it early in the morning and fast for several hours. That will melt visceral fat. Or take it whenever you want.

 

[shredded.lyfe]

Results from growth hormone are so slow the difference of timing are going to be so negligible.

The only thing that matters is keeping your igf1 levels elevated if that's what you're wanting results from.

Just pick a time that works logistically for you, like all things in life adherence matters more than anything else.

 

[WinnyCanIdrinkIt]

Thanks for the question. Makes me sleepy. What is the problem with the post workout as described ? Thanks

No problem at all like others said just pin and wait a little before to eat. Personnaly I prefer early in the morning split the dose and before bed fot not having shaking hands

 

[ThinBulk]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I appreciate it.

But I think my actual question hasn’t been answered yet.

I fully understand that pre-bed GH is considered best practice.

The issue is that on some days I simply cannot take it at night due to schedule/living situation.

On those days I take it post-workout, like this:

• solid pre-workout meal
• intra carbs + protein
• blood glucose usually <100 mg/dL before injection
• then GH post-workout and last meal ~3 hours later

So my question is simple:

Is there anything actually wrong or risky with doing GH post-workout in this setup?

(or is it just “not optimal” compared to pre-bed?)

I’m not asking what is ideal — I’m asking if this approach is problematic in any way.

Thanks again

When you inject GH, your blood levels peak 3 hours post injection. Blood glucose and insulin rise quickly after a meal though. Basically the timing on your insulin spike matches perfectly with your peak GH. It's about the worst timing possible when your question is about insulin.

Can you take it pre workout at 17:00. That's not optimal, but far better.