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