💉 Insulin & HOMA-IR
A key test for assessing insulin resistance — an early indicator of metabolic issues like pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and PCOS.

🔍 What is it?

This test measures your fasting insulin levels and calculates your HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) score — a marker used to estimate how resistant your body’s cells are to insulin.

Insulin is the hormone responsible for helping glucose (sugar) enter your cells for energy.
When cells become resistant, your pancreas produces more insulin to compensate — leading to high insulin levels and, over time, blood sugar problems.

🧪 What does it measure?

• Fasting Insulin – the level of insulin in your blood after not eating for 8–12 hours
• HOMA-IR Score – calculated using fasting insulin and glucose levels

High levels suggest your body is struggling to use insulin effectively — a key sign of insulin resistance.

❓ Why might I need it?

You may benefit from this test if you:

• 😴 Feel constantly tired, especially after eating
• 🍞 Crave sugar or carbs, or experience frequent hunger
• 📈 Are overweight, especially with abdominal fat
• 🌙 Have dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans)
• 🚺 Have PCOS or irregular periods
• 🩸 Have high triglycerides, cholesterol, or blood pressure
• 🧬 Have a family history of type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
• ⚖️ Struggle to lose weight despite diet and exercise

🧬 Conditions it can help detect:

• Insulin resistance
• Prediabetes / Type 2 Diabetes risk
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Hyperinsulinaemia (high insulin levels)

🩺 How is it done?

• 💉 A fasting blood sample (8–12 hours without food)
• 🧮 HOMA-IR is calculated using a standard formula
• 📊 Results are usually ready in 1–2 working days

💷 Typical Private Cost in the UK:

£40–£90 for insulin and HOMA-IR
Often included in metabolic or PCOS panels

✅ Commonly Combined With:

• Fasting Glucose – for HOMA-IR calculation
• HbA1c – for long-term blood sugar levels
• Lipid Profile – for cholesterol and triglycerides
• Liver Function Test – fatty liver is linked to insulin resistance
• Testosterone & LH/FSH – for PCOS or hormone balance

📚 References:

• NICE – [Type 2 diabetes: Prevention and management guidelines]
• Diabetes UK – [Understanding insulin resistance]
• NHS – [Metabolic Syndrome overview]
• RCOG – [PCOS and insulin resistance in women]