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๐Ÿ”ฌ HOMA-BGrade A

HOMA-B Calculator

HOMA-B measures your pancreatic beta cell function โ€” your body's ability to produce and secrete insulin. While HOMA-IR reveals how well your cells respond to insulin, HOMA-B shows whether your pancreas can keep up with demand. Together, they provide a complete picture of glucose metabolism.

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Don't have fasting insulin?

Fasting insulin is NOT included in standard blood tests. Most doctors only order fasting glucose, which misses the complete metabolic picture.

Ask your doctor: "Can you add fasting insulin to my next blood panel?"

Based on peer-reviewed researchยทSee the evidence โ†’

Understanding Beta Cell Function

Your pancreatic beta cells are the insulin factories of your body. Here's what happens as metabolic dysfunction develops:

  1. Early Stage: Compensation

    As insulin resistance develops, beta cells work harder, producing more insulin. HOMA-B rises above normal. High HOMA-B with high HOMA-IR signals overworking beta cells.

  2. Middle Stage: Strain

    Beta cells continue working overtime. Some begin to fail. HOMA-B may start declining while remaining in 'normal' range.

  3. Late Stage: Exhaustion

    Beta cells can no longer keep up. HOMA-B drops significantly. Blood glucose rises. Type 2 diabetes develops.

HOMA-B helps identify where you are in this progression โ€” before irreversible damage occurs.

HOMA-B and HOMA-IR: The Complete Picture

Understanding both markers reveals the full story of your metabolic health:

Low HOMA-IR + Normal HOMA-B

Healthy glucose metabolism. Cells respond well to insulin, pancreas functions normally.

High HOMA-IR + High HOMA-B

Insulin resistance with compensation. Pancreas is overworking to maintain normal glucose. Early intervention opportunity.

High HOMA-IR + Low HOMA-B

Beta cell exhaustion. Pancreas can no longer compensate for resistance. Higher diabetes risk.

Normal HOMA-IR + Low HOMA-B

May indicate Type 1 diabetes markers or other pancreatic issues. Consult healthcare provider.

What is HOMA-B?

Understanding Beta Cell Function

Your pancreatic beta cells are responsible for producing and releasing insulin. When you eat, blood glucose rises, and beta cells respond by secreting insulin. This insulin then signals your cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream.

HOMA-B (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Beta Cell Function) estimates how well your beta cells are functioning based on fasting glucose and insulin levels. It reflects your pancreas's capacity to produce adequate insulin.

Unlike HOMA-IR which measures insulin resistance, HOMA-B measures insulin secretion capacity. Both are calculated from the same blood test but reveal different aspects of glucose metabolism.

How HOMA-B Works

The HOMA-B formula was developed alongside HOMA-IR by Dr. David Matthews and colleagues at Oxford University in 1985. It models beta cell output based on the relationship between fasting glucose and insulin.

Formula:

HOMA-B = (20 x Fasting Insulin) / (Fasting Glucose - 3.5)

Where glucose is in mmol/L and insulin is in ฮผU/mL. Result is expressed as a percentage of normal function.

Why HOMA-B Matters

  • Early warning system: Changes in HOMA-B can signal metabolic problems before glucose becomes abnormal.
  • Track progression: Monitor beta cell health over time to assess metabolic trajectory.
  • Treatment decisions: Low HOMA-B may indicate need for different interventions than high HOMA-IR alone.
  • Complete assessment: Combined with HOMA-IR, provides full picture of glucose metabolism.

Getting Your Numbers

HOMA-B requires two lab values from the same fasting blood draw:

  • Fasting glucose: Included in most basic metabolic panels. Fast 8-12 hours before the blood draw.
  • Fasting insulin: Not routinely included in standard panels. You may need to specifically request it.

Understanding Your HOMA-B Results

We provide three interpretation frameworks because 'normal' depends on your health goals and dietary approach. Standard Medical shows conventional reference ranges. Research Consensus targets values associated with metabolic wellness. Metabolic Optimization accounts for naturally lower insulin needs on low-carb diets.

Standard Medical

โ€” Conventional reference ranges

RangeCategoryWhat It Means
< 60%Reduced FunctionBeta cell function below normal range; evaluation recommended
60% - 200%NormalWithin conventional medical reference range
> 200%Elevated (Compensating)Pancreas may be overworking to compensate for insulin resistance

Research Consensus

โ€” Functional medicine targets

RangeCategoryWhat It Means
< 50%Low FunctionSignificantly reduced beta cell function; medical evaluation needed
50% - 100%Borderline LowBelow optimal; may indicate early beta cell decline
100% - 150%OptimalHealthy beta cell function with adequate insulin production
150% - 200%May Be CompensatingCheck HOMA-IR; elevated values together suggest compensation
> 200%Beta Cells OverworkingLikely compensating for insulin resistance; intervention recommended

Metabolic Optimization

โ€” Low-carb adapted ranges

RangeCategoryWhat It Means
< 40%Low FunctionBelow expected range even for low-carb; evaluation recommended
40% - 80%Borderline LowMonitor over time; may be normal for some keto-adapted individuals
80% - 120%OptimalExpected range for metabolically optimized low-carb practitioners
120% - 180%GoodHealthy range; pancreas functioning well
> 180%May Need InvestigationHigher than expected on low-carb; check for insulin resistance

Understanding Your Result

HOMA-B measures your pancreatic beta cell function โ€” how hard your body is working to maintain normal blood sugar. Combine with HOMA-IR for the complete picture.

See detailed HOMA models guide โ†’

Track Your Beta Cell Function Over Time

Changes in beta cell function tell an important story about your metabolic health. Track your results and watch your progress.

  • Unlimited result history
  • Trend charts and insights
  • Lab report scanning (OCR)
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HighMiddleOptimal JanMarMayJulNowTG/HDL

Supporting Beta Cell Health

Beta cell function can be preserved and sometimes improved through lifestyle interventions. The key is reducing the burden on your pancreas while supporting cellular health.

Dietary Strategies

  • Reduce refined carbohydrates. Lower carb intake means less insulin demand, reducing beta cell workload.
  • Prioritize protein and healthy fats. These nutrients require less insulin response than carbohydrates.
  • Consider time-restricted eating. Giving your pancreas breaks between meals allows beta cells to recover.

Lifestyle Factors

  • Prioritize quality sleep. Poor sleep increases insulin resistance, forcing beta cells to work harder.
  • Manage chronic stress. Cortisol raises blood sugar, increasing insulin demand.
  • Regular physical activity. Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, reducing the burden on beta cells.

Monitoring Progress

  • Retest periodically. Track HOMA-B alongside HOMA-IR every 3-6 months to monitor trends.
  • Watch the trajectory. Declining HOMA-B over time warrants attention even if still in 'normal' range.

HOMA-B: Frequently Asked Questions

We provide Standard Medical, Research Consensus, and Metabolic Optimization frameworks because 'normal' depends on your goals and dietary approach. Standard ranges show conventional medicine views. Optimal ranges target values associated with metabolic wellness. Metabolic Optimization ranges account for naturally lower insulin production on low-carb diets โ€” lower HOMA-B values are expected and often healthy in this context.

  1. Matthews DR, et al.. Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and ฮฒ-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in man. Diabetologia. 1985. PMID: 3899825
  2. Wallace TM, Levy JC, Matthews DR. Use and abuse of HOMA modeling. Diabetes Care. 2004. PMID: 15161807
  3. Stumvoll M, et al.. Use of the oral glucose tolerance test to assess insulin release and insulin sensitivity. Diabetes Care. 2000. PMID: 10895836
Showing 3 of 5View all references

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Medical Disclaimer

The HOMA-B calculator provided on Metabolicum is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Last reviewed: December 23, 2025