What is HOMA-IR?

HOMA-IR on your report

Some Indian labs print it with the fasting insulin result; others leave you to calculate it. One common formula is fasting glucose (mg/dL) multiplied by fasting insulin, divided by 405.

There is no single agreed cut-off. MDCalc notes that:

• 2.0 to 3.0 is commonly used in the US
• large US surveys (NHANES) use 2.5 or more

Lower cut-offs, from about 1.4, are reported in Asian populations. Treat your number as a question for your doctor, not as a diagnosis.

What HOMA-IR tells your doctor

Because HOMA-IR combines sugar and insulin, it can flag a problem even when your glucose still looks normal.

Insulin resistance often comes years before high blood sugar shows up, and it sits behind many cases of:

• PCOS
• weight gain around the middle
• fatty liver

One study of women with PCOS found it picked up insulin resistance better than fasting insulin alone.

What moves your HOMA-IR

Insulin sensitivity responds well to daily habits. Regular movement, especially walking and strength work that builds muscle, helps your body use insulin better.

These all tend to lower it over a few months:

• meals with enough protein and fibre from dal, chana, vegetables and whole grains
• fewer sugary drinks and refined snacks
• losing some weight from the waist if you carry extra
• good sleep

Ask your doctor before starting or changing medicines.