HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)

Assesses insulin resistance using fasting glucose and insulin values

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HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance)

HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)

Assesses insulin resistance using fasting glucose and insulin values

Fasting Glucose

Measured after at least 8 hours of fasting

mg/dLmmol/L

Fasting Insulin

Measured after at least 8 hours of fasting

μIU/mLpmol/L

HOMA-IR — — Significant insulin resistance (consider intervention)

0/2 answered · enter values to update

Instructions

The HOMA-IR calculator uses fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin values to provide an estimate of insulin resistance. The result reflects how effectively the body is using insulin to regulate blood sugar. This tool is intended for use in research and clinical practice as a supportive measure and should not replace a complete medical evaluation.

Overview

When to use

Why use

Evidences

Interpretation

Range	Interpretation
<1.0	Low risk for insulin resistance
1.0-1.9	Normal range
2.0-2.9	Moderate risk for insulin resistance
>3.0	Insulin resistance likely

Derivation and model fundamentals: HOMA was introduced by Matthews et al. as a structural model of basal glucose–insulin homeostasis to estimate insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and β-cell function from fasting glucose and insulin; the original publication provided the widely used index HOMA-IR = fasting insulin(mU/L) × fasting glucose(mmol/L) / 22.5 and demonstrated correlation with clamp-derived insulin sensitivity in validation subsets
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00280883

Updated physiology and calculator: Wallace, Levy, and Matthews developed HOMA2, revising assumptions on glucose-insulin feedback, hepatic and peripheral glucose resistance, and insulin secretion to improve agreement with clamp and minimal model across a wider glycemic range; the paper details HOMA2’s nonlinear model and provides a calibrated calculator
https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/27/6/1487/22836/Use-and-Abuse-of-HOMA-Modeling?searchresult=1

Prospective prediction of type 2 diabetes: Hanley et al. in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) showed higher baseline HOMA-IR independently predicted incident diabetes over 5 years after adjustment for glucose and adiposity (Diabetes, 2003)[Hanley AJG, Williams K, Stern MP, Haffner SM. Diabetes. 2003;52:463-469]. In a multiethnic cohort, HOMA-IR added prognostic value beyond fasting glucose and BMI

https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article/52/2/463/26774/Prediction-of-Type-2-Diabetes-Using-Simple

Overview

When to use

Why use

Evidences

The Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) is a simple and widely used method to evaluate insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells do not respond effectively to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar and compensatory increases in insulin production. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic disorders.

HOMA-IR is derived from two easily obtainable laboratory values: fasting plasma glucose and fasting insulin concentration. The calculation provides an index rather than a direct measurement, offering clinicians a quick and practical way to gauge insulin resistance without the need for more invasive or resource-intensive procedures such as euglycemic clamp testing. While not a diagnostic tool on its own, HOMA-IR serves as an important marker for identifying individuals at risk of developing metabolic conditions.

The utility of HOMA-IR extends to both clinical and research settings. In clinical practice, it is frequently used to assess patients with obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), prediabetes, and other conditions linked to altered glucose metabolism. In research, it provides a standardized, reproducible method for studying insulin resistance across populations.

Overview

When to use

Why use

Evidences

Interpretation

Range	Interpretation
<1.0	Low risk for insulin resistance
1.0-1.9	Normal range
2.0-2.9	Moderate risk for insulin resistance
>3.0	Insulin resistance likely