# Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen - facts

Canonical page: https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen
Type: Lab article

## TL;DR

Dead volume is the fixed hollow channel in a pen needle and cartridge connector that must fill with liquid before any measured volume can leave the pen.

## Facts Index

| Fact ID | Category | Entity | Attribute | Value | Source | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:title | identity | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | title | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:published | identity | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | published | 2026-08-15 | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:author | identity | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | author | Preppin' Peppers Editorial Team | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:topics | identity | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | topics | Guides, how-to, peptide guide | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:summary | content | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | summary | Dead volume is the fixed hollow channel in a pen needle and cartridge connector that must fill with liquid before any measured volume can leave the pen. | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:section-1 | content | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | section | What it is | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:section-2 | content | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | section | What dead volume actually is | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:section-3 | content | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | section | How to prime before the first draw | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:section-4 | content | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | section | Air bubbles and dead volume are two separate problems | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:section-5 | content | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | section | Why consistency matters across a draw series | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:section-7 | content | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | section | What the research community gets wrong about pen dead volume | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:product-gansulin-metal-peptide-pen | products | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | references product | Gansulin Pen · Reusable Click-Dial, 3 ml (1-60 Units) | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/products/gansulin-metal-peptide-pen |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:product-gansulin-3ml-cartridge | products | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | references product | Gansulin-Compatible 3 ml Glass Cartridge for Pens (10-Pack) | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/products/gansulin-3ml-cartridge |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:source-pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov | source | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | cites | Smith et al., Cureus 2021: Quantification of COVID-19 Vaccine Needle and Syringe Dead Space Volumes - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34812330/ |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:source-pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov-2 | source | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | cites | Bohannon, Postgrad Med 1999: Insulin delivery using pen devices. Simple-to-use tools may help young and old alike - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10560468/ |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:source-pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov-3 | source | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | cites | Chaves et al., Rev Esc Enferm USP 2017: Residual volume in vials of antibiotics used in pediatrics - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28614439/ |
| dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen:source-pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov-4 | source | Dead volume is stealing doses from your peptide pen | cites | Frid et al., Mayo Clin Proc 2016: New Insulin Delivery Recommendations - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/dead-volume-is-stealing-doses-from-your-peptide-pen) | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27594187/ |

## FAQ

### What is dead volume in a peptide pen?

Dead volume is the fixed hollow channel running through the needle and connector that must be filled with liquid before any compound can exit the tip. It is a structural feature of every precision click-dial pen, not a defect.

### Why do I lose liquid every time I change the needle on my pen?

Whatever liquid fills the needle channel exits with the used needle when removed. This loss is expected; factor it into your total cartridge yield calculations before you begin a draw series.

### What is the difference between dead volume and air bubbles in a peptide cartridge?

Dead volume is a fixed structural space in the needle; it always requires priming. Air bubbles form inside the cartridge liquid from agitation and can be reduced by gentle rolling during reconstitution and tapping needle-side up before priming.

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