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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

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/).
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).
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.
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.
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.