HOMA stands for Homeostatic Model Assessment. Matthews and colleagues published the formula in 1985, and it works directly in the units Australian labs use.
A fasting glucose of 5.0 mmol/L and a fasting insulin of 9 mIU/L gives 5.0 × 9 ÷ 22.5 = 2.0. If your insulin is in pmol/L, divide it by 6 first: 54 pmol/L is 9 mIU/L.
What your score means
Under 1.0Good insulin sensitivity. The range we aim for.
1.0 to 1.9In range. Worth tracking over time.
2.0 to 2.9Emerging insulin resistance.
3.0 or aboveSignificant insulin resistance. Talk to your GP.
There is no single official cut-off. Some Australian labs quote an upper limit of about 2.9, so check the range on your report. Our optimal ranges are what we aim for to support long-term health, not diagnostic cut-offs.
Why fasting insulin matters
Fasting glucose is a late marker. Insulin resistance typically develops 10 to 15 years before glucose is high enough to be called impaired, because the pancreas makes more insulin to compensate. A normal glucose with a high fasting insulin can be the first sign, which is why HOMA-IR picks up change earlier than glucose alone.
When HOMA-IR is less reliable
Your blood wasn't taken fasting. Insulin rises soon after food.
Glucose and insulin came from different blood draws.
You use insulin or some diabetes medicines.
Your fasting glucose is 7.0 mmol/L or above.
You were pregnant, unwell, short on sleep or training hard in the day or two before.
One result is useful. A pattern across retests tells you more.
When to see your GP
See your GP if your HOMA-IR is 3.0 or above, your fasting glucose is 6.1 mmol/L or higher, or you have increased thirst, are passing more urine, or have blurred vision or unexplained weight loss. This calculator supports preventive health. It doesn't diagnose insulin resistance, prediabetes or diabetes.
Questions people ask
What is a good HOMA-IR score?
Under 1.0 suggests good insulin sensitivity. Between 1.0 and 1.9 is a middle zone, 2.0 to 2.9 suggests emerging insulin resistance, and 3.0 or above suggests significant insulin resistance. Lab ranges vary, so check the range printed on your report too.
Can I get a HOMA-IR test in Australia?
Yes. HOMA-IR needs a fasting glucose and a fasting insulin from the same blood draw, and many routine check-ups only include glucose. Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR are both in the Vively Baseline Health Check. As with all pathology in Australia, a doctor signs the request; with Vively, a GP from our network does this after a short telehealth consult.
Do I need to fast for a HOMA-IR test?
Yes. Fast overnight and drink water as normal. Insulin rises soon after you eat, so a sample taken after food will overstate your score.
Is fasting insulin measured in mIU/L or pmol/L?
Most Australian labs report fasting insulin in mIU/L, which is the same as µIU/mL. Some use pmol/L. To convert, divide pmol/L by 6. The calculator does this for you when you switch the unit.
Can HOMA-IR come down?
Often, yes. It reflects how hard your body works to keep glucose steady, so it tends to respond to changes in food, activity, sleep and body weight. Retesting every three months shows whether what you are doing is working.
More calculators
Sources
Matthews DR, et al. Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and β-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in man. Diabetologia. 1985;28(7):412-419.
Diabetes Australia. Prediabetes and diagnostic cut-offs for fasting plasma glucose.
Vively is a general wellness platform and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information, insights or guidance offered through our app, website, programs, or coaches is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice or care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live and work, the Gadigal of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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