Cardiovascular Disease - Bloody Good
Diabetes

HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance) Test

The HOMA-IR Test estimates insulin resistance by using fasting glucose and insulin results. This test may help assess your risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and related heart or hormone problems.

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HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance) Test

Want to assess your insulin resistance and diabetes risk to catch metabolic problems early when they're most treatable and reversible?

Overview

The HOMA-IR test gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how well your body's blood sugar management system is working. Think of insulin as your body's key that unlocks cells so glucose can enter and provide energy. When everything's running smoothly, this process happens effortlessly. But sometimes your cells start becoming resistant to insulin's signal – like a lock that's getting harder to turn. When this happens, your pancreas has to work overtime, producing more and more insulin to get the same job done, which can eventually lead to elevated blood sugar and diabetes.

What makes this test so valuable is that it can catch insulin resistance years before you'd notice any symptoms or develop diabetes, when your body is still compensating behind the scenes. By measuring both your fasting glucose and insulin levels, HOMA-IR reveals whether your pancreas is already working harder than it should be. This early warning gives you the opportunity to make lifestyle changes – like adjusting your diet, increasing physical activity, and managing stress – that can actually reverse insulin resistance and prevent it from progressing to more serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, or metabolic syndrome.

Reviewed by Dr. Vu Tran
Bloody Good’s Chief Medical Officer

Symptoms

You may benefit from this test if you experience:
Blood sugar spikes after eating Feeling tired after eating Intense sugar cravings Difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise Abdominal weight gain PCOS with metabolic symptoms Skin that's constantly oily Metabolic syndrome diagnosis

Purpose

Essential for individuals with diabetes risk factors, metabolic syndrome, PCOS, unexplained weight gain, or anyone wanting to assess their insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.

How to prepare

Fast for 8-12 hours before blood collection (water allowed). Avoid alcohol, excessive exercise, and stress for 24 hours before testing. Take medications as prescribed unless instructed otherwise. Blood sample collected by trained phlebotomist at collection centre.

Understanding results

Results show HOMA-IR score with interpretation: <1.0 optimal insulin sensitivity, 1.0-2.5 normal, 2.5-5.0 early insulin resistance, >5.0 significant insulin resistance. Higher scores indicate greater insulin resistance and diabetes risk.

After the test

Address insulin resistance through dietary modifications emphasizing low glycemic foods, regular exercise, weight loss, stress management, and adequate sleep. Consider metformin or other medications if lifestyle changes are insufficient. Monitor progress with repeat testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Normal HOMA-IR is typically <2.5, with <1.0 being optimal. Scores >2.5 suggest insulin resistance, and >5.0 indicates significant insulin resistance requiring intervention.
  • HOMA-IR measures insulin resistance (how well insulin works), while HbA1c measures average blood sugar control. You can have insulin resistance with normal HbA1c if your pancreas is still compensating.
  • Yes, early-stage insulin resistance is often reversible through lifestyle changes including weight loss, low-carb diet, regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep.
  • Fasting ensures accurate baseline measurements of glucose and insulin levels without interference from recent food intake, providing reliable HOMA-IR calculation.
  • Initially for baseline, then every 6-12 months for monitoring, or 3-6 months when implementing interventions to improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Weight loss, low-glycemic diet, regular exercise (especially resistance training), stress reduction, adequate sleep, and avoiding processed foods significantly improve insulin sensitivity and lower HOMA-IR scores.
HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance) Test

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How it works

What to expect

We want you to feel bloody good—inside and out. Regular testing isn’t just about checking your current health; it helps you spot abnormal values you might not know about.

1

Book your referral

Choose the testing that suits your goals. After ordering, you will receive your referral by email.

2

Collect your sample

Easy sample collection at one of our 4000+ partner collection centres throughout Australia. Find nearest

3
Receive your results

Receive your results

View your lab results and receive a personalised review from the secure Bloody Good platform.

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