Fasting Insulin and HOMA-IR
Fasting insulin and the derived HOMA-IR score reveal insulin resistance years before fasting glucose drifts up — the earliest commonly available metabolic marker.
Fasting insulin and the derived HOMA-IR score reveal insulin resistance years before fasting glucose drifts up. Together they are the earliest commonly available marker of metabolic dysfunction.
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Fasting insulin moves years before fasting glucose does.
Transcript & sources → All videosMr. Age is AgeGen's editorial character. Facts come from the protocol above.
The biomarker
- Name: Fasting Insulin + HOMA-IR
- Units: µU/mL; HOMA-IR unitless
- Standard reference range: Insulin < 25; HOMA-IR varies by lab
- Optimal range: Insulin < 6; HOMA-IR < 1.5
How to read your result
| Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Insulin < 5 | Optimal |
| 5–8 | Acceptable |
| 8–12 | Borderline |
| ≥ 12 | Insulin resistance likely |
| HOMA-IR > 2 | Insulin resistance |
| HOMA-IR > 3 | Clear resistance |
What moves the needle
- Diet. Reduce refined carbs and sugary drinks.
- Weight. 5–10% loss often normalises.
- Testing. Recheck every 3 months.
- Movement. Add daily walking + 2x strength.
Why this test is worth asking for
- Fasting insulin reveals insulin resistance years before fasting glucose drifts up — the dysfunction is visible while it is still reversible.
- The derived HOMA-IR score turns two fasted numbers into a single, trackable resistance index.
- It is the earliest commonly available marker of metabolic dysfunction, so it catches what a glucose-only panel misses.
Related protocols
- Urine ACR — Early Kidney Marker
- Uric Acid — Metabolic + Gout Marker
- SHBG — Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Sources
AgeGen lab guides are educational only. We do not provide medical diagnosis, prescribe brands, or recommend specific doses. Talk to a licensed clinician before changing your supplement or medication routine.
