HOMA index with C peptide | Insulin resistance

General Information

The Homa index is an indicator of insulin resistance, which is calculated by the ratio between glucose and C-peptide.

Its values ​​may vary depending on body mass index.

The HOMA index includes two main indicators

HOMA-IR (insulin resistance)

HOMA-beta (beta activity)

HOMA-S insulin sensitivity

When HOMA-IR is high, it indicates insulin resistance, which increases the risk of developing diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and a number of cardiovascular and endocrine disorders.

A high Homa index is seen in decompensated type 1 diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketoacidosis, and others.

When the HOMA-beta index is below normal, it is a result of insufficient functioning of pancreatic cells and insufficient production of insulin, which leads to an increase in blood glucose levels.

Insulin resistance - Resistance to the metabolic effects of insulin, which in turn includes the inhibitory effect of insulin on the production of endogenous glucose, stimulating action on peripheral glucose absorption and glycogen synthesis.

Insulin resistance:

• Reduces peripheral tissue sensitivity to insulin by an average of 50%;
• This phenomenon is universal in nature and does not depend on the presence or degree of obesity;
• Resistance to adipose tissue, muscle tissue, and liver leads to compensatory hyperinsulinemia, leading to a cascade of dysmetabolic disorders;
• In response to hyperinsulinism, the production of male sex hormones increases, which exacerbates hyperandrogenism.

Pathologies related to insulin resistance are:

• Obesity;
• Type 2 diabetes;
• Decreased glucose tolerance;
• Dyslipidemia;
• Polycystic ovary syndrome;
• Atherosclerosis;
• Acanthosis;
• arterial hypertension.