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QUICKI

General

Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index

An alternative formula to HOMA-IR that estimates insulin sensitivity from the same fasting glucose and insulin values, using a logarithmic transformation.

Definition

QUICKI (Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index) is an alternative to HOMA-IR for estimating insulin sensitivity from fasting glucose and fasting insulin values. It applies a logarithmic transformation to the same underlying data, which some research suggests correlates more consistently with directly measured insulin sensitivity than the simpler HOMA-IR calculation.

Unlike HOMA-IR, where higher scores indicate worse insulin resistance, higher QUICKI scores indicate better insulin sensitivity, the scale runs in the opposite direction. The QUICKI Calculator calculates this from the same two fasting lab values used for HOMA-IR.

Formula

QUICKI = 1 ÷ [log(Fasting Insulin [µIU/mL]) + log(Fasting Glucose [mg/dL])]

Note that QUICKI conventionally uses glucose in mg/dL, unlike HOMA-IR which uses mmol/L.

Worked Example

With fasting insulin of 8 µIU/mL and fasting glucose of 99 mg/dL:

QUICKI = 1 ÷ [log(8) + log(99)] = 1 ÷ [0.903 + 1.996] = 1 ÷ 2.899 ≈ 0.345

This falls within the commonly cited normal range (roughly 0.30–0.45).

Key Things to Know

  • Higher QUICKI = better insulin sensitivity: this is the opposite direction from HOMA-IR, where higher scores mean worse sensitivity.
  • Uses mg/dL for glucose, not mmol/L: double-check your units before calculating, since this differs from the standard HOMA-IR formula.
  • Calculate both from one blood draw: QUICKI and HOMA-IR use identical lab inputs, so there's no need for additional testing to get both.
  • Screening tool, not a diagnosis: like HOMA-IR, an abnormal QUICKI score should prompt further discussion with a doctor rather than self-diagnosis.

Related Calculators

QUICKI Calculator →Calculate the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) from fasting glucose and insulin to estimate insulin sensitivity, with reference bands.
HOMA-IR Calculator →Calculate HOMA-IR from fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels to estimate insulin resistance, with reference categories for interpreting your result.

Related Terms

HOMA-IRHomeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance

Frequently Asked Questions

How is QUICKI different from HOMA-IR?
Both use the same two fasting values (glucose and insulin), but QUICKI applies a logarithmic transformation to the formula, which some research suggests correlates more consistently with directly measured insulin sensitivity than [HOMA-IR](/glossary/homa-ir/).
What counts as a normal QUICKI score?
QUICKI values typically range from about 0.30 to 0.45, with higher values indicating better insulin sensitivity, unlike HOMA-IR, where higher values indicate worse insulin sensitivity (more resistance).
Why does QUICKI use logarithms in its formula?
The logarithmic transformation compresses the wide numeric range of glucose and insulin values into a more linear relationship with directly measured insulin sensitivity, which some studies suggest improves QUICKI's correlation with lab-based insulin sensitivity measurements.
Do I need different lab tests to calculate QUICKI versus HOMA-IR?
No, both formulas use the exact same two values (fasting glucose and fasting insulin) from a single blood draw, so you can calculate both scores from one test.
Which score should I trust more, HOMA-IR or QUICKI?
Neither is universally considered more accurate, both are widely used screening estimates, and calculating both from the same blood draw gives two independent perspectives to discuss with a healthcare provider rather than relying on just one.