HOMA-IR Test: Cost, Normal Range, Procedure & Insulin Resistance Testing Guide

The HOMA-IR or Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance test is widely used to evaluate insulin resistance. It reveals how well your body utilizes insulin to normalize blood glucose levels. HOMA-IR is measured using fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels. Higher result values suggest greater insulin resistance,  a major cause of metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

The HOMA-IR index is a simple method to look into how efficiently your body handles insulin. It evaluates insulin resistance in the body through fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin levels.

If your HOMA-IR result value is high, it shows that your body is not using insulin properly. If the result value is normal or low, it means your body is responding well to insulin. Healthcare professionals usually recommend the HOMA-IR test to detect diabetes, hormonal problems, and metabolic conditions in early stages.

HOMA-IR is used to assess insulin resistance in the body because it offers a realistic picture of how hard the pancreas needs to work to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

The HOMA-IR test is valuable because:

• It indicates the real physiology.

• It is clinically validated and only requires fasting tests.

• It can detect insulin resistance before the symptoms appear.

Here’s the simple and clear comparison:

Fasting Glucose: It measures the sugar level in the blood after around 8-12 hours of fasting. Fasting glucose results show current blood sugar control in the body. It can be normal even in the case of insulin resistance. Fasting glucose is usually used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes.

Fasting Insulin: It analyses insulin levels in blood after fasting and shows the efforts of the pancreas. High levels indicate risk or early insulin resistance even when glucose levels are normal. Healthcare professionals only recommend in cases of metabolic risk.

HOMA-IR (Calculation): It's not a direct lab test but a calculated index. It combines fasting insulin and fasting glucose to assess insulin resistance. It suggests the correlation between glucose and insulin. It offers more comprehensive insights into early metabolic dysfunction.

HOMA-IR Calculation Formula: Fasting Insulin (µU/mL) × Fasting Glucose (mg/dL) / 405

An insulin sensitivity test evaluates how well your body responds to insulin. This hormone allows glucose to access the cells for energy. If there’s insulin resistance, the body must produce more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

An insulin resistance test usually involves blood measurements after fasting, including fasting glucose and insulin. It helps diagnose early metabolic dysfunction that typically happens before diabetes. It can also detect the risk for prediabetes, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

HOMA-IR: It’s a calculated index that depends on fasting insulin and fasting glucose. It measures insulin resistance and is most suitable for early metabolic dysfunction. It tells an estimate, not an exact measurement.

Fasting Insulin Test: It’s a blood test that measures the insulin in the blood post fasting. It shows how hard your pancreas is working and identifies insulin resistance even if glucose levels are normal. It's most suitable for diagnosing early insulin resistance.

HbA1c: A blood test that is used to measure blood glucose and shows long-term blood glucose control. It's most suitable for detecting and monitoring health conditions such as prediabetes and diabetes. It can be normal in case of early insulin resistance.

Here’s the comparison table showing HOMA-IR vs Fasting Insulin Test vs HbA1c:

Generally, insulin resistance develops before your blood sugar levels become abnormal. Insulin resistance testing matters for early detection of prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, PCOs and fatty liver. It allows timely and efficient intervention.

Undiagnosed and untreated insulin resistance may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic inflammation. Early diagnosis of insulin resistance can reduce the risks of these health conditions, allowing lifestyle changes and proper treatment.

Insulin resistance is directly linked to obesity, especially excessive fat around the abdomen. Visceral fat can deteriorate insulin signaling, leading to metabolic dysfunction. Timely testing can help detect the risk and ensure proper management.

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis across various countries shows that insulin resistance influences around 26.5% adults, which is around 1 in every 4 adults. Another study performed on adults with hypertension and prediabetes found that around 56.9% of prediabetics had insulin resistance.

When it comes to the HOMA-IR blood test normal range, lower values suggest normal insulin function. Risk levels may vary depending on age and laboratory. It is recommended to interpret the results considering fasting glucose and insulin, HbA1c, lipid profile, and waist circumference.

Check out the table for a better understanding:

Insulin resistance is checked using various blood tests and considering some clinical indicators under proper fasting conditions.

Fasting glucose test: Evaluates blood sugar levels after at least 8 hours of fasting. It tells about the blood sugar control.

Fasting insulin test: Assess insulin amounts in the blood after fasting. Higher levels suggest that the pancreas is producing excess insulin to normalize blood sugar.

HOMA-IR Calculation: It’s a calculated index that uses fasting glucose and fasting insulin values to analyze insulin resistance.

Home blood collection services: Many laboratories, such as MyDiagnostics, offer a home sample collection option. A trained medical professional visit your home to collect the sample. MyDiagnostics offers home sample collection at affordable rates.

Continuous glucose monitoring trends: You can track your blood sugar patterns across the day using CGM devices. Frequent monitoring of glucose can reflect underlying insulin resistance.

Risk score assessment: Authenticated diabetes and metabolic risk score uses various factors, including family history, BMI, waist circumference, and physical activity, to evaluate the risk of insulin resistance.

Here’s the step-by-step procedure:

• You have to fast for 8-12 hours before the test, and you can't eat or drink anything.

• Avoid consuming alcohol at least 24 hours before the test, as it can interfere with insulin and glucose levels.

• No heavy exercise or workout one day before the test, as it can affect the glucose and insulin levels in the body.

• A medical professional draws a blood sample, typically from your arm.

• The sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis.

• In the laboratory, they measure fasting blood glucose levels and fasting insulin levels in your blood.

• Both values are used to calculate HOMA-IR i.e., fasting insulin × Fasting Glucose) ÷ 405.

• Then the actual values are compared with the reference ranges.

High results indicate insulin resistance, which means your body is not using insulin properly. It suggests that you are at a higher risk of developing prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, PCOS, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver. High results are generally associated with hypertension, obesity, and high triglycerides.

Normal or low results indicate normal insulin sensitivity, which means insulin is controlling blood sugar well.

Here’s the table showing HOMA-IR result value vs associated health risk:

HOMA-IR test price in India depends on the city, diagnostic center, and mode of sample collection (home or lab). However, the HOMA-IR test cost in India ranges between INR 800 and INR 1500.

Check out the table showing the HOMA-IR test price in India across the major cities:

Typically, healthcare providers recommend an HOMA-IR or insulin resistance test if you have clinical symptoms, risk factors, PCOS, or have been screened for early metabolic dysfunction or prediabetes.

Sudden weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area, fatigue, increased sugar cravings, skin changes, and inability to lose weight with diet and exercise.

Central obesity, family history, diabetes or metabolic syndrome, abnormal lipid profile, or high blood pressure.

Females with PCOS, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, and men and women with a high risk of metabolic dysfunction.

Here’s how you can reduce a high HOMA-IR score:

• Incorporate low glycemic index foods, healthy fats, and protein-rich foods into your diet and avoid processed foods and refined sugars.

• Consider strength and high-intensity interval training workouts with regular aerobic activity to improve insulin sensitivity.

• Lose weight around your abdomen because even 5% weight loss can improve insulin sensitivity.

• Prioritize sleep and stress management. Practice meditation, yoga, and deep breathing to help reduce stress and improve sleep.

• Consider supplements only if your healthcare provider recommends. Metformin, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids can be helpful for prediabetes and insulin resistance.

When evaluating insulin resistance and your metabolic health, the tests offer more comprehensive information. These tests, along with HOMA-IR, help healthcare professionals recognize early metabolic dysfunction, detect the risk factors, create a personalized management plan, and provide accurate medical treatment.

• HbA1c

• Lipid profile

• Fasting insulin

• OGTT

• Thyroid panel (because TSH affects insulin sensitivity)

***Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphics, and images, is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice about your condition(s).