Homa IR Test - Price, Purpose, Procedure & Results

Table of Content

Introduction to Homa IR Test

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF),  India is the country that has the second largest number of diabetic patients in the world. Diabetes, a chronic condition, is known to be a silent killer as it has no cure for it. 

Diabetes is of two types, but the most common one is Type 2 Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus. This condition occurs when the body is not able to manage insulin properly. However, sometimes insulin resistance can be mistaken for diabetes.

Insulin Resistance is a condition that has the potential to turn into diabetes if not treated accordingly. This is why it is crucial to get tested regularly so you can lower your chances of getting diabetes.

The Homa IR Test determines one's Insulin Resistance levels in the body, which helps diagnose or rule out the risks of developing diabetes. If your body has high levels of insulin resistance that means you may be prediabetic and must take all the necessary precautions to not end up with Type 2 diabetes.

If you are looking for a reliable place to get yourself tested, contact Redcliffe Labs and get your Homa IR Test at home.

Test Details:

HOMA Index Insulin Resistance Test Cost in Different Cities - Redcliffe Labs

Note: We also offer Homa IR Test PAN India. Please call the number 8988988787 to check the availability of our services in your area.

What is the purpose of the HOMA IR Test? 

A Homa IR test is crucial in diagnosing any prediabetic or diabetic condition. It helps:

• Determine the risks of developing diabetes.
• Monitor the response to the treatment.
• Tell me how much insulin your pancreas needs to control blood sugar levels.
• The HOMA-IR test determines insulin resistance levels. 

This is why it is important to get tested if you think you have symptoms of insulin resistance. Diabetes is a chronic condition with no cure, so it is important to get yourself regularly tested so that you will know if there are any chances for you to develop the condition and can take preventive measures to avoid the condition.

Causes of insulin resistance:

There are multiple reasons for developing insulin resistance, and they are:

• Lifestyle factors: sedentary behavior, an unhealthy diet (high in processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats), and obesity contribute significantly.
• Environmental factors: Chronic stress, inadequate sleep, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals can disrupt glucose metabolism.
• Aging: A natural decline in insulin sensitivity occurs with age due to changes in body composition and hormonal regulation.
• Inflammation: Systemic and localized inflammation, particularly in adipose tissue, interferes with insulin signaling pathways.
• Excessive fructose consumption: A high fructose intake, especially from sugary beverages, promotes liver fat accumulation and inflammation.
• Medical conditions: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and fatty liver disease are associated with insulin resistance.

This is why it is important to get yourself tested regularly so that you know what is going on with your body and can take action accordingly.

Symptoms of Insulin Resistance or Prediabetes:

The prediabetic condition occurs when your body becomes insulin resistant, and your blood sugar levels are higher than usual but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. There are certain symptoms to look out for if you want to know if your body is insulin-resistant or not: 

1. Increase in thirst: When you feel thirsty even after drinking enough water, that may be a sign that you are prediabetic.
2. Sudden weight loss: If there is a significant change in your weight without any lifestyle or dietary modifications,
3. Increased Hunger: You are always hungry, even after eating adequate meals, which is a sign of being prediabetic.
4. Urination is increased: With the increased thirst, you would have the urge to pee all the time, and this is also a symptom of diabetes. 

These are a few symptoms that show that you might be prediabetic. If you or anyone around you is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to get tested. You can take the HOMA IR test, which is responsible for showing the levels of insulin resistance in your body. If your results turn out to be high, you need to make changes in your lifestyle along with taking the required treatment not to get diabetes.

Preparations Required Before the HOMA IR Test:

There is no special set of rules that are to be followed before taking the HOMA IR blood test. However, these are some basic guidelines to be followed:

• You have to fast for at least 8-10 hours before taking the HOMA IR test, but you must consult with your doctor before getting tested so that they can make any changes required depending on your medical history.
• It is important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are taking any medication or supplements. You do not need to panic in such situations; if they think there is an issue, they will tell you about the solution as well. 
• It is a blood test, so it is always recommended to avoid any workouts or yoga before taking the test.
• It is advised not to smoke or drink alcohol before taking the test because it may alter the test results.

If you follow these basic guidelines before taking the test and keep your physician in the loop, you are ready.

The procedure for the HOMA IR test is:

This HOMA IR test is like any other blood test, so the procedure followed is the same.

• The phlebotomist, on arrival, ties a band around your arm.
• They tell you to make a fist so the veins are properly visible.
• They disinfect the area from which the blood is to be drawn.
• Then, a thin, sterile needle is inserted into the vein to draw blood, and after removing the needle, a bandage is put on the punctured area.
• After drawing the blood, they put it in a vial, seal it, and label it.
• This vial is then taken to the laboratory to be tested.

Remember that the punctured area may have a stinging sensation for around two days. If it lasts more than two days or the pain is significantly severe, you should consult a doctor.

Tips to help improve Insulin Sensitivity:

 It is always necessary to see a doctor if your test reports show high insulin resistance so that they can guide you through your journey towards improving your insulin sensitivity and provide you with a treatment based on your medical history. However, some general tips would help anyone improve insulin sensitivity:

• Get proper sleep. 

Everyone knows good sleep is essential for maintaining good health, and it benefits the body in many different ways. There have been many studies that show that not getting proper sleep can hinder your insulin sensitivity, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

• Increase protein intake: 

Anyone diabetic or prediabetic is always recommended to have a protein-rich diet. However, excess of anything is not healthy, and in this case, an excessive amount of protein increases the level of insulin in one’s body, thus increasing the chances of diabetes. So, it is important to have a balanced amount of protein.

• Carbs Reduction:

In India, carbohydrate intake in rotis, parathas, etc., is very high. This excessive intake of carbs increases the level of insulin in the body, which can be responsible for causing type 2 diabetes.

• Drink plenty of water. 

Consuming a sufficient amount of water is key to a healthy life, and it is also responsible for decreasing blood sugar levels. So, it is important to drink at least 3 liters of water daily.

• Regular Workouts: 

If you have a sedentary lifestyle, this tip might seem difficult. However, there are a variety of diseases that can be prevented by incorporating regular exercise into your routine.

• Reduce alcohol consumption.

Limiting the consumption of alcohol can be beneficial if you don’t want to be diabetic. Alcohol is a type of carbohydrate, so it can instantly increase insulin levels and cause major harm to the body.

As mentioned before, if you are pre-diabetic, you need to consult with your doctor before making any lifestyle or dietary changes. They will provide you with a treatment plan based on your medical history.

Get tested at Redcliffe Labs!

The cost of the HOMA IR test at Redcliffe Labs is INR 920. This price varies from lab to lab, but we at Redcliffe Labs try to keep the prices as reasonable as possible. You can get your test done in the comfort of your home from the ISO-certified and NABL-accredited Diagnostic Lab, trusted and recommended by more than 50,000 health providers. 

If you are looking for a place to get tested, you can contact Redcliffe Labs and avail of the doorstep sample collection service. You get the sample collected from the comfort of your home and get the reports in a stipulated timeframe.