HOMA Formula
Info
Fasting insulin level
unit µIU/mL pmol/L
Fasting glucose level
unit mg/dL mmol/L
R e s u l t s
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Info
HOMA Formula

The Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) is a method used to quantify insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which normal amounts of insulin do not result in a normal response in a given person's liver, muscle and fat cells. Insulin resistance is important in the etiology of type 2 diabetes and may also be important in metabolic syndrome.

  • HOMA IR = (FastIns * FastGlu) / 22.5
  • FastIns = Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL)
  • FastGlu = Fasting Glucose (mmol/L)

The conversions (if needed) are:

  • [Insulin] µIU/mL = (pmol/L)/6.945
  • [Glucose] mmol/L = mg/dL*0.0555

Interpretation:

Different studies have reported somewhat varying interpretations. However, most research represents the following interpretation of the HOMA score:

  • Children and Adolescents: >3.16 is consistent with insulin resistance in one study; whereas another reported >4.
  • Adults: >2.5 is consistent with insulin resistance. Research looking at Korean adults generated a cutoff of >2.34. Another study found that in those with BMI >28.9, a HOMA >4.65 or in those with BMI >27.5 a HOMA of >3.60 was consistent with insulin resistance.

References:

  • Duncan MH, Singh BM, Wise PH, et al. A simple measure of insulin resistance. Lancet. 1995;346(8967):120-1.