Ulta Lab Tests

HOMA-IR Calculation (Insulin Resistance) Panel

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. The hormones insulin and glucagon help control blood glucose levels.

Also known as: Insulin (fasting)

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone that is produced and stored in the beta cells of the pancreas. It is vital for the transportation and storage of glucose at the cellular level, helps regulate blood glucose levels, and has a role in lipid metabolism. When blood glucose levels rise after a meal, insulin is released to allow glucose to move into tissue cells, especially muscle and adipose (fat) cells, where is it is used for energy production. Insulin then prompts the liver to either store the remaining excess blood glucose as glycogen for short-term energy storage and/or to use it to produce fatty acids. The fatty acids are eventually used by adipose tissue to synthesize triglycerides to form the basis of a longer term, more concentrated form of energy storage. Without insulin, glucose cannot reach most of the body's cells. Without glucose, the cells starve and blood glucose levels rise to unhealthy levels. This can cause disturbances in normal metabolic processes that result in various disorders, including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and vision and neurological problems. Thus, diabetes, a disorder associated with decreased insulin effects, is eventually a life-threatening condition.
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The HOMA-IR Calculation (Insulin Resistance) Panel panel contains 2 tests with 2 biomarkers .

The HOMA-IR Calculation (Insulin Resistance) Panel measures two key blood tests—Fasting Glucose and Fasting Insulin—to help determine your level of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when your body becomes less responsive to insulin, a hormone critical for controlling blood sugar. Over time, this can lead to prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic conditions.

Tests Included

  1. Fasting Glucose
    • Measures the concentration of glucose in your blood after an overnight fast.
    • High fasting glucose levels can indicate impaired glucose metabolism and an increased risk of diabetes.
  2. Fasting Insulin
    • Assesses the amount of insulin your pancreas releases while you are not eating.
    • Elevated fasting insulin levels may suggest your body is working harder than normal to keep blood sugar stable.

HOMA-IR Calculation

The Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) in the United States, where glucose is often measured in mg/dL, is:

HOMA-IR = Fasting Insulin(μU/mL) × Fasting Glucose(mg/dL) divided by 405.
  • Typical Ranges:
    • Below 1.0: High insulin sensitivity (low resistance)
    • 1.0–2.0: Generally considered within normal limits
    • Above 2.0 or 2.5: Suggests increasing insulin resistance, warranting lifestyle or medical intervention
    • Above 3.0: Often indicates significant insulin resistance

How This Test Is Used

  • Early Detection: Identifies insulin resistance before blood sugar levels become consistently high, helping prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes.
  • Treatment Guidance: Results can guide nutrition, exercise, and medication plans to improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Ongoing Monitoring: Useful for tracking the effectiveness of lifestyle changes or therapies aimed at managing insulin resistance.

Fasting Requirement

  • You should fast for 8–12 hours before your blood draw (no food or beverages other than water).
  • Fasting is essential to obtain accurate insulin and glucose measurements.

By combining Fasting Glucose and Fasting Insulin into a single panel and calculating the HOMA-IR score, this test provides a more complete snapshot of your metabolic health. Knowing your HOMA-IR level can help you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions to manage or prevent metabolic conditions, improving overall well-being.

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