HOMA-IR
CALCULATOR
HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) estimates how effectively your body uses insulin. Enter your fasting insulin and glucose to assess your metabolic health.
// ENTER YOUR VALUES
Measured after 8-12 hour fast (typical range: 2-25 uIU/mL)
Measured after 8-12 hour fast (typical range: 70-100 mg/dL)
// YOUR RESULTS
YOUR HOMA-IR SCORE
--
Enter your fasting insulin and glucose values to calculate your HOMA-IR score.
YOUR INPUT VALUES
FASTING INSULIN
-- uIU/mL
FASTING GLUCOSE
-- mg/dL
Recommendation: Enter your values for personalized guidance.
// HOMA_IR_RANGES
INSULIN RESISTANCE CATEGORIES
Note: HOMA-IR is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. Values can vary based on laboratory methods. Always discuss results with your healthcare provider.
// INSULIN_RESISTANCE_SCIENCE
UNDERSTANDING INSULIN RESISTANCE
WHAT IS INSULIN RESISTANCE?
Insulin resistance occurs when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don't respond well to insulin and can't easily take up glucose from your blood. As a result, your pancreas makes more insulin to help glucose enter cells. Over time, this can lead to higher blood sugar levels and eventually type 2 diabetes.
WHAT IS HOMA-IR?
HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is a method used to quantify insulin resistance. It was developed by researchers at the University of Oxford and uses fasting insulin and glucose levels to estimate how resistant your cells are to insulin.
Where insulin is in uIU/mL and glucose is in mg/dL
WHY DOES INSULIN RESISTANCE MATTER?
- Precedes diabetes: Insulin resistance can develop 10-15 years before type 2 diabetes diagnosis
- Metabolic syndrome: Often accompanies high triglycerides, low HDL, high blood pressure, and abdominal obesity
- Cardiovascular risk: Increases risk of heart disease independent of diabetes
- PCOS: Closely linked to polycystic ovary syndrome in women
- Fatty liver: Major contributor to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
CAUSES OF INSULIN RESISTANCE
- Excess body fat: Especially visceral fat around organs
- Physical inactivity: Muscle tissue becomes less responsive to insulin
- Poor diet: High refined carbohydrates, sugars, and processed foods
- Sleep deprivation: Even short-term sleep loss impairs insulin sensitivity
- Chronic stress: Elevated cortisol promotes insulin resistance
- Genetics: Family history increases susceptibility
IMPROVING INSULIN SENSITIVITY
| INTERVENTION | IMPACT |
|---|---|
| Exercise (especially resistance training) | Improves muscle glucose uptake 24-72 hours post-exercise |
| Weight loss (5-10%) | Can significantly reduce HOMA-IR in overweight individuals |
| Low-carb/Mediterranean diet | Reduces glucose spikes and insulin demand |
| Adequate sleep (7-9 hours) | Restores insulin sensitivity impaired by sleep debt |
| Stress management | Lowers cortisol-mediated insulin resistance |
RELATED BIOMARKERS TO MONITOR
- HbA1c: Reflects average blood sugar over 2-3 months
- Fasting glucose: Snapshot of current blood sugar regulation
- Triglycerides: Often elevated with insulin resistance
- HDL cholesterol: Often low with insulin resistance
- Triglyceride/HDL ratio: > 3.0 suggests insulin resistance
- OGTT: Oral glucose tolerance test for detailed assessment
Important: This calculator is for educational purposes only. HOMA-IR is a screening tool and should not replace proper medical evaluation. If you have concerns about insulin resistance or diabetes risk, consult your healthcare provider. Do not adjust medications based on this information.
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