HOMA-IR and Matsuda index calculator — insulin resistance
Calculate HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and QUICKI from fasting glucose and insulin, and the Matsuda index from a full OGTT curve. We also classify the OGTT glucose values.
Interpretation
HOMA-IR rises when more insulin is needed to keep the same glucose level. There is no single accepted cut-off: many publications and laboratories use about 2.5 as a rough threshold, but it depends on the population, age, body weight and insulin assay.
The Matsuda index and QUICKI work the other way round: the lower they are, the lower the insulin sensitivity.
Insulin resistance is not a disease in itself but a feature of obesity, prediabetes, PCOS and other conditions. Experts advise against routine insulin and HOMA-IR testing in people without a clinical indication; treatment depends on glucose, body weight and comorbidities.
OGTT glucose
| Fasting | 120 min | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 70–99 mg/dl | < 140 mg/dl |
| Prediabetes | 100–125 mg/dl (IFG) | 140–199 mg/dl (IGT) |
| Diabetes | ≥ 126 mg/dl | ≥ 200 mg/dl |
Based on the Polish Diabetes Association criteria; a fasting value in the diabetes range is confirmed by a second measurement.
How we calculate
HOMA-IR = glucose [mg/dL] × insulin [µIU/mL] ÷ 405
HOMA-B [%] = 360 × insulin ÷ (glucose [mg/dl] − 63)
QUICKI = 1 ÷ (log insulin + log glucose [mg/dl])
Matsuda = 10 000 ÷ √(G₀ × I₀ × Gśr × Iśr)
Gmean and Imean are the mean glucose and insulin of all entered time points (including fasting). Insulin in pmol/L is divided by 6 and glucose in mmol/L is multiplied by 18.016.
Limitations
- Insulin assays differ between laboratories, so results from different places are not fully comparable.
- HOMA is not valid in people treated with insulin or with marked hyperglycaemia.
- The result is not a diagnosis; a doctor interprets it together with weight, glucose, lipids and symptoms.
Sources
- Matthews DR, Hosker JP, Rudenski AS, et al. Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and β-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in man. Diabetologia 1985;28:412–419. doi.org
- Matsuda M, DeFronzo RA. Insulin sensitivity indices obtained from oral glucose tolerance testing: comparison with the euglycemic insulin clamp. Diabetes Care 1999;22:1462–1470. doi.org
- Katz A, Nambi SS, Mather K, et al. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000;85:2402–2410. doi.org
- Polskie Towarzystwo Diabetologiczne. Zalecenia kliniczne dotyczące postępowania u osób z cukrzycą — 2026 (kryteria rozpoznania zaburzeń glikemii). ptdiab.pl
- Insulinooporność jako pseudochoroba — powszechny problem w gabinecie diabetologa i endokrynologa. Medycyna Praktyczna (mp.pl), opinia ekspertów. www.mp.pl
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal HOMA-IR?
Do I need to fast for HOMA-IR?
How does HOMA-IR differ from the Matsuda index?
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This calculator is for education and does not replace a doctor’s assessment. Always interpret the result together with the history and examination.