HOMA-IR Calculator

HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is calculated from fasting glucose and insulin. The formula depends on the glucose unit:

• Glucose in mg/dL: HOMA-IR = (glucose × insulin) / 405
• Glucose in mmol/L: HOMA-IR = (glucose × insulin) / 22.5

Insulin is expressed in µU/mL (mU/L). The model was described by Matthews and colleagues in 1985 and estimates, from a single fasting sample, both insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and pancreatic beta-cell function (HOMA-B%).

The higher the value, the greater the likelihood of insulin resistance. As a rough guide:

Important: there is no single universal cut-off. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, insulin assay and study population; a value up to about 2.5 is generally considered to indicate normal insulin sensitivity, with the exact limit varying around 2.0–2.5. The result is not a diagnosis and should be interpreted by a doctor alongside your other tests.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which cells respond less to insulin, forcing the pancreas to produce more of it. It is a central mechanism in several conditions people search for:

• Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Overweight and abdominal obesity

Because body weight and lipid profile are closely tied to insulin sensitivity, it can help to also check your body mass index (BMI) and your LDL cholesterol.

HOMA-IR is calculated from a fasting blood sample. For reliable values:

• Fast for 8–12 hours (water is allowed).
• Have the blood drawn in the morning: glucose and insulin follow a circadian rhythm.
• Glucose and insulin must be measured on the same sample.
• Avoid intense exercise and alcohol in the preceding hours.

A value in the normal range is reassuring but should always be put in context; a high value is a reason to investigate further.

• Lifestyle: regular physical activity, cutting back on simple sugars and weight loss all improve insulin sensitivity.
• Further tests: your doctor may request glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), an oral glucose tolerance test or a lipid panel.

When to see a professional: consult a doctor if the value is high, if you have a family history of diabetes, if you are overweight, or if you notice symptoms such as excessive thirst, fatigue or increased urination. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

• It is based on a single sample and is subject to biological variability.
• The insulin assay is not standardised across laboratories, so values are not always comparable.
• It is not validated in people on insulin therapy or with type 1 diabetes.
• It is a screening and research tool, not a diagnostic test.