well the majority of the igf-1 in your body gets bound the the 1gf1bp3 which is similar to shbg with test. since the bound igf-1 cant fit into its receptor due to the binding protien, its useless until your body removes the protien. however when you cleave off the last 3 aminos in the igf-1 chain (you body can also do this naturally) you then have des(1-3)igf-1. the reson why its so much more potent than igf-1 is becuase the binding protien cannot attach to it at all making it all active and on top of that it can fit into igf-1 receptors that have been altered due to lactic acid, something that igf-1 has trouble with when the receptor gets destroyed by acidosis. the only reason why i dont think we see much of des(1-3)igf-1 ( i hate typing that) is becuase i dont know if anyone has been able to extend its active life like they have with igf-1 which is onnly a few minutes.