Retatrutide is a triple agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors — the compound behind the “GLP-3” shorthand. Supplied as a lyophilized research peptide in 10, 20, and 30 mg vials, 99%+ HPLC purity, third-party tested, shipped domestically from British Columbia.
Section 01 — Definition
Retatrutide is a synthetic peptide studied as a triple agonist — it engages three receptors at once: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. That third target, the glucagon receptor, is what separates it from the incretin peptides that came before it and is the reason it draws sustained interest in metabolic research.
The class has expanded step by step. Semaglutide acts on a single receptor (GLP-1). Tirzepatide added a second (GIP) to become a dual agonist. Retatrutide adds a third (glucagon), which is why it is sometimes described informally as a “GLP-3” peptide — shorthand for triple-agonist activity, not a distinct new receptor.
Helix North supplies retatrutide strictly as a lyophilized research material for in-vitro and laboratory use. Everything on this page is written for research handling and sourcing — it is not dosing guidance and not for human use.
One agonist became two, two became three. Retatrutide is the triple-agonist step in the incretin research lineage.
Section 02 — Mechanism
What makes retatrutide distinct is the number of receptor pathways it engages. Each receptor sits on a different arm of metabolic signalling, and the research interest lies in what happens when all three are activated together rather than one at a time.
| Compound | Receptors | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | GLP-1 | Single agonist |
| Tirzepatide | GLP-1, GIP | Dual agonist |
| Retatrutide | GLP-1, GIP, glucagon | Triple agonist |
The glucagon receptor is the differentiator. In the single- and dual-agonist compounds it is absent; in retatrutide it is the third pathway, which is why the compound is studied as its own category rather than an incremental version of tirzepatide.
For the full mechanism, our triple-agonist explainer and GLP-1 receptor agonist primer go deeper, and the retatrutide vs tirzepatide and three-way comparison articles set it against the rest of the class.
Section 03 — Product
Retatrutide is stocked in three vial sizes — 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg — so a protocol can match concentration and quantity to its needs rather than over- or under-buying. Each vial ships lyophilized with a Certificate of Analysis for its specific lot.
Every lot is sent to an independent third-party laboratory for HPLC purity analysis, with identity confirmed by mass spectrometry. We do not release a lot below 99 percent purity, and the CoA — lot number, chromatogram, and calculated purity — is published on the product page so you can review it before ordering. That verification is the whole point of sourcing from an accountable supplier rather than an anonymous vendor.
Choose a vial size below, or read how each lot is tested on our lab testing and CoA page.
Section 04 — Handling
Retatrutide ships freeze-dried and is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before use. The diluent volume is the only real decision, because it sets the concentration of the finished research stock — concentration is simply mass divided by volume.
Wipe both stoppers with an alcohol prep pad, draw the chosen volume of bacteriostatic water into an insulin syringe, and add it slowly down the inside wall of the vial. Swirl gently until clear — never shake — then refrigerate at 2 to 8°C. A 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL gives a 5 mg/mL stock; the same vial with 4 mL gives 2.5 mg/mL.
Our step-by-step retatrutide reconstitution guide works the math for every vial size, and the storage guide covers stability. These are reconstitution mechanics for laboratory handling only — not dosing recommendations.
Section 05 — Sourcing
Sourcing retatrutide domestically removes the two problems that come with an offshore order: the customs wait and the currency markup. A Canadian-domestic shipment never crosses a border, so there is no customs hold and no risk of a package being detained or returned mid-protocol.
Helix North makes its peptides in Canada and ships retatrutide from British Columbia by Canada Post Xpresspost — 1 to 2 business days on the West Coast, 2 to 4 for central Canada, a flat $30 to any postal code, tracked and in plain packaging. Pricing is in Canadian dollars, so the number on the product page is the number on the receipt.
Retatrutide is legal to purchase and possess for research in Canada and is not a controlled substance. It is supplied strictly as a research material. New here? The Canadian research peptides overview and the GLP research hub cover testing, shipping, and the wider catalog.
Section 06 — Common questions
Choose a 10, 20, or 30 mg vial with a third-party CoA, or browse the full GLP research line. Questions about lots or bulk quantities — get in touch.