Some folks say 2.5, some say 1.8 and it varies by sex and age.
I work in obesity medicine and have found that among my patients who have been compliant with the diet I recommend, they achieve HOMA-IR scores below 2 even before significant weight loss, and if they achieve an ideal BMI the score drops below 1.2 or even lower.
Mine is 0.7 and I have insulin 3.2 and interestingly a very high LDL cholesterol.
I am concerned that we have lowered the bar on health by raising the HOMA-IR cut-off for 'normal' to more easily achievable levels.
Some recent research
According to "Insulin Resistance and Cardiometabolic Risk Profile Among Nondiabetic American Young Adults: Insights From NHANES" more than 40% of young adults have Insulin Resistance. This is based on a CUT OFF of 2.5.
Ihu Parcha, Rajat Kalra, Pankaj Arora and more (Not on RG)
Other researchers have found and suggested lower cut-off values mark the difference between 'healthy' and metabolic syndrome. For example authors of "Optimal Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) Cut-Offs: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Czech Population" identified "The HOMA-IR cut-off between subjects with NGT and prediabetics was 1.82 (sensitivity 0.60, specificity 0.66)"
Authors: Ladislav Štěpánek, Alena Petrakova (others not on RG)
I am interested in discussing the possibility that the number should be lower, perhaps as low as 1, and that fasting insulin above 5 mcIU/ml may also be an early warning of problems.
I would like to learn from the experts here why I am right or wrong.
Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to read and reply!
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