Fasting Insulin and HOMA-IR — 60-Second Protocol
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lab guide · 2026-09-07
Fasting insulin moves years before fasting glucose does.
A fasting insulin test measures the insulin in a blood sample taken after an 8–12 hour fast. Used with other tests, it helps a clinician look for insulin resistance, in which cells respond poorly to insulin and the pancreas may make more of it.
The protocol
| Units | µU/mL; HOMA-IR unitless |
| Standard range | Laboratory-specific — read insulin, and any HOMA-IR score your report includes, against the range printed on your lab report (ranges vary by lab) |
| together_with_glucose | insulin and blood glucose normally rise and fall together, so the insulin result is read alongside glucose |
| above_lab_range | can be seen with insulin resistance, where the pancreas makes more insulin to help glucose into cells — the test is used with other tests, not alone |
| homa_ir | if your report includes a HOMA-IR score, read it only against that laboratory's range and ask your clinician what it means for you |
| main_use | the test's main use is finding the cause of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) |
| Preparation | fast 8 to 12 hours before the draw, or as your lab instructs |
| Testing | ask your clinician which other tests to read it with |
Full transcript
Fasting insulin moves years before fasting glucose does. Together with the HOMA-IR score it is the earliest commonly available marker of metabolic dysfunction. Under five is optimal, five to eight acceptable, eight to twelve borderline, twelve and above means insulin resistance is likely. On HOMA-IR, above two is resistance and above three is clear resistance. Fewer refined carbs and sugary drinks, daily walking and two strength sessions a week; a five to ten percent weight loss often normalises it. Recheck every three months, with a clinician reading it. agegen.ai. Generate your prime age! ~~ Mr. Age
Sources
- https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance
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