Estimate insulin sensitivity from metrics.
Insulin sensitivity can be estimated from a single fasting sample. HOMA-IR multiplies fasting glucose by fasting insulin and divides by a constant that normalises a healthy young adult to about 1.0, so a rising value means more insulin is needed to hold the same glucose. QUICKI takes the reciprocal of the summed logarithms, which spreads the scale more evenly and correlates better with clamp studies at the resistant end.
HOMA-IR
HOMA-IR = fasting glucose (mg/dL) x fasting insulin (uIU/mL) / 405
QUICKI
QUICKI = 1 / (log10(fasting insulin) + log10(fasting glucose))
Educational estimate only. Not medical advice — discuss results with a qualified clinician before changing treatment, medication or exercise.
Yes. Both indices assume a true fasting steady state of eight to twelve hours. A fed sample inflates insulin and makes the result meaningless.
Insulin assays are not standardised across laboratories, so the numeric threshold for resistance shifts with the assay. Compare serial results from the same lab rather than against a universal cut-off.