Insulin Resistance Panel (HOMA-IR)

Three tests: Hemoglobin A1c (3-month average glucose), Fasting Glucose (today's morning snapshot), and Fasting Insulin (the earliest insulin-resistance marker). Together they cover diagnosis (A1c), monitoring (Glucose), and early detection (Insulin) in one draw.

Insulin resistance precedes elevated A1c by years (often a decade). A high fasting insulin with normal glucose is the earliest warning sign — and the most actionable: lifestyle changes (low-carb diet, resistance training, weight loss) are highly effective at this stage. Calculate HOMA-IR (Insulin × Glucose / 405) — values above 2.0 suggest insulin resistance.

A1c alone tells you your average glucose over the past 3 months — useful for diagnosis and monitoring. Diabetes Panel adds Fasting Glucose (catches sudden glucose changes A1c misses) and Fasting Insulin (catches insulin resistance years before A1c rises). For someone with risk factors or early symptoms, the full panel is more useful.

On TestWell, the Insulin Resistance Panel is $59.99. Ordering the same 3 tests separately would be about $75. Quest Health lists comparable bundles at $100, walk-in hospital labs typically bill $250-350 for the same biomarkers without insurance.

Yes — 8-12 hours of fasting (water only) for accurate Fasting Glucose and Fasting Insulin. A1c does not require fasting but is included in the same draw.

C-peptide distinguishes Type 1 from Type 2 diabetes (low C-peptide = T1, requires insulin). Add it if your diagnosis is unclear or if you have insulin-deficiency symptoms. For routine T2 screening, this panel is sufficient.

Yes — all three tests are available at Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp patient service centers nationwide. Order on TestWell, pick your preferred lab, and we'll generate a digital requisition for any of their walk-in locations.

Annually for adults 35+ with risk factors. Every 3-6 months if you're prediabetic or actively making metabolic interventions. Every 3 months on a GLP-1 (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Zepbound). Annually for healthy adults under 35 with risk factors.

Insulin Resistance Panel (HOMA-IR) results are typically ready in 2–5 business days after your draw at Quest or Labcorp. TestWell emails you the moment they post, and your results dashboard shows each marker against its reference range with a plain-English explanation.

Eating before the draw and trying to lower a result before a test (A1c, glucose, cholesterol, testosterone) can change an Insulin Resistance Panel (HOMA-IR) result without anything being wrong. Eating before the draw can raise Glucose and Insulin — fast 8 hours (8–12 is fine); water only. Trying to lower a result before a test (A1c, glucose, cholesterol, testosterone) can interfere with Hemoglobin A1c and can lower Glucose — nothing to do; the number reflects the last quarter. Each is explained on our physician-reviewed "Before your test" pages; when one applies, remove it and retest.