⚡ Insulin SensitivityGrade B

QUICKI Calculator

Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index — measure your insulin sensitivity from fasting labs.

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QUICKI Insulin Sensitivity

Calculations are performed entirely in your browser. If you save results, they are stored securely in your account.

QUICKI requires fasting values and correlates inversely with HOMA-IR. Higher QUICKI = better insulin sensitivity. This is for educational purposes only.

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Need a Fasting Insulin Test?

Standard metabolic panels often skip fasting insulin. Ask your doctor specifically for it, or order it directly through our lab partner.

QUICKI uses the same labs as HOMA-IR — get both results from one test.

Based on peer-reviewed research·See the evidence →

What is QUICKI?

QUICKI (Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index) is a validated measure of insulin sensitivity derived from fasting glucose and insulin levels. It correlates strongly with the glucose clamp technique, which is the gold standard for measuring insulin sensitivity.

Unlike HOMA-IR which measures insulin resistance (higher = worse), QUICKI measures insulin sensitivity (higher = better). This makes it intuitive: a higher QUICKI score means your body responds better to insulin.

Formula:

QUICKI = 1 / (log[Fasting Glucose] + log[Fasting Insulin])

Where glucose is in mg/dL and insulin is in μU/mL

Understanding Your QUICKI Score

Different clinical frameworks use different thresholds based on their goals:

Standard Medical

— Clinical guidelines

Range	Category	What It Means
> 0.45	Excellent	Optimal insulin sensitivity. Equivalent to HOMA-IR < 1.0.
0.35 – 0.45	Normal	Healthy insulin sensitivity range for most people.
0.30 – 0.35	Borderline	Reduced insulin sensitivity. Lifestyle changes recommended.
< 0.30	Low	Significant insulin resistance. Equivalent to HOMA-IR > 3.0.

Research Consensus

— Based on epidemiological studies

Range	Category	What It Means
> 0.50	Optimal	Excellent metabolic health. Maintain current habits.
0.40 – 0.50	Good	Good insulin sensitivity. Minor optimization possible.
0.35 – 0.40	Acceptable	Lifestyle improvements recommended for better sensitivity.
< 0.35	Attention	Below functional medicine targets. Action needed.

Metabolic Optimization

— Hormonal signaling approach

Range	Category	What It Means
> 0.45	Excellent	Excellent adaptation. Low-carb diet is working well.
0.38 – 0.45	Good	Good insulin sensitivity in ketosis. Monitor for adaptive glucose sparing.
0.32 – 0.38	Investigate	Check fasting glucose. May be adaptive or pathologic.
< 0.32	Attention	True insulin resistance likely. Diet review needed.

Understanding Your Result

QUICKI is a measure of insulin sensitivity — how well your cells respond to insulin. Mathematically related to HOMA-IR but on an inverse scale (higher = better).

See detailed HOMA and QUICKI guide →

Track Your Insulin Sensitivity Over Time

QUICKI can improve with lifestyle changes. Save your results and watch your progress.

Unlimited result history
Trend charts and insights
Lab report scanning (OCR)

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How to Improve Your QUICKI Score

Improving insulin sensitivity is the goal. These strategies help your cells respond better to insulin:

Diet

Reduce carbohydrates: Especially refined carbs and sugars.
Adequate protein: Helps stabilize blood sugar.
Time-restricted eating: Reduces insulin exposure.

Exercise

Resistance training: Best for long-term insulin sensitivity improvement.
Post-meal walks: 10-15 minute walk after meals reduces glucose spikes.

Sleep & Stress

Quality sleep: 7-9 hours, consistent timing.
Stress management: Chronic stress raises cortisol and insulin resistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

QUICKI measures insulin sensitivity (higher = better), while HOMA-IR measures insulin resistance (lower = better). They're mathematically related - same labs, inverse scales.

Katz A, et al.. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index: a simple, accurate method for assessing insulin sensitivity in humans. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2000. PMID: 10902745
Chen H, Sullivan G, Quon MJ. Assessing the predictive accuracy of QUICKI as a surrogate index for insulin sensitivity. Diabetes. 2005. PMID: 16046317
Matthews DR, et al.. Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and β-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in man. Diabetologia. 1985. PMID: 3899825

Showing 3 of 5View all references

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Medical Disclaimer

The QUICKI 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 2024