HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)
HOMA-IR is calculated from fasting glucose and fasting insulin and estimates hepatic insulin resistance. Values below about 1.0 suggest good insulin sensitivity, while values above 2.0 to 2.9 indicate insulin resistance and elevated diabetes risk. HOMA-IR often detects metabolic dysfunction well before fasting glucose or HbA1c become abnormal.
Optimal range: who says what
Institutions, researchers and practitioners draw the line in different places. Each position is listed with who holds it and, where a document states it, a link. How we verify ranges.
- Institution or study<2.0Metabolic-syndrome-based cutoff in a general adult population (Gayoso-Diz et al. 2013, EPIRCE)The Spanish EPIRCE study put the cutoff at 2.05 when metabolic syndrome components were considered (1.85 in non-diabetic men), against 3.46 from the 90th percentile
- Institution or study≤1.4 (lowest quartile)NHANES III cohort (Ausk et al. 2010, Diabetes Care)Adults without diabetes in the top quartile (above 2.8) had 1.64 times the all-cause mortality of the bottom quartile
- Named practitioner<1.5Tracey O'Shea (Kresser Institute) · The Lipid Panel Was Fine. The Patient Was Not: A Case in Advanced Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
- Lab reference intervalNo established lab reference interval (calculated index)What a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
Practitioner targets are individual positions, often tighter than guideline ranges. Each was checked against its article before publishing.
6 of 21 itemized panels
Advanced / Specialty Markers
Why HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance) matters
Calculated from fasting glucose and insulin. Predicts diabetes risk years before blood sugar rises. Early marker of metabolic dysfunction.
Which Providers Test HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)?
Cheapest: Mito Health at $297/year. Most comprehensive: Function Health, 160+ biomarkers for $365/year.
6 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $297 | 100+ | $2.97 | |
| $349 | 75+ | $4.65 | |
 WHOOP Advanced Labs | $349 | 65 | $5.37 |
 Function Health | $365 | 160+ | $2.28 |
| $895 | 100+ | $8.95 | |
| $1950 | 130+ | $15.00 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
15 itemized panels do not include HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)
Superpower · Labcorp OnDemand · Life Extension Elite · Everlywell · InsideTracker · Marek Health Base · Marek Health Comprehensive · Blueprint · Empirical Health · Oura Health Panels · SiPhox Health · Healthspan · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite · Ultrahuman Blood Vision Annual
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance). Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Experts discussing HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)
Podcast episodes where clinicians and researchers cover this marker in depth. Curated by hand; an episode is listed only when the marker is a substantial topic, not a passing mention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)?
Published positions differ: <2.0 (Metabolic-syndrome-based cutoff in a general adult population (Gayoso-Diz et al. 2013, EPIRCE)); ≤1.4 (lowest quartile) (NHANES III cohort (Ausk et al. 2010, Diabetes Care)). Named practitioners target: <1.5 (Tracey O'Shea (Kresser Institute)). No established lab reference interval (calculated index).
Which blood test providers include HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)?
6 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance) in their panels. This biomarker is widely available across major providers.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Sep 30, 2025