1. What is HOMA-IR?

HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is a method used to quantify insulin resistance from fasting glucose and insulin levels. It provides an estimate of how resistant the body's cells are to the effects of insulin.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the HOMA-IR formula:

Where:

• Fasting Glucose — Measured in mg/dL
• Fasting Insulin — Measured in µU/mL

Explanation: The formula calculates insulin resistance by assessing the relationship between fasting glucose and insulin levels.

3. Importance of HOMA-IR

Details: HOMA-IR is used to assess insulin resistance, which is associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Higher values indicate greater insulin resistance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter fasting glucose in mg/dL and fasting insulin in µU/mL. Both values must be valid (greater than 0). For accurate results, measurements should be taken after an 8-12 hour fast.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal HOMA-IR value?
A: Typically, values below 1.0 indicate normal insulin sensitivity, while values above 2.0 suggest significant insulin resistance.

Q2: How does HOMA-IR compare to other insulin resistance measures?
A: HOMA-IR is simpler than glucose clamp techniques but correlates well with more complex methods in research settings.

Q3: When should HOMA-IR be measured?
A: It's useful for assessing metabolic health in prediabetes, PCOS, and other insulin-resistant states.

Q4: Are there limitations to HOMA-IR?
A: It's less accurate in people with diabetes or very abnormal glucose metabolism, and doesn't account for beta-cell function.

Q5: Should HOMA-IR be used alone?
A: It should be interpreted alongside other clinical findings and metabolic markers.