Home › Biomarkers › HOMA-Beta
HOMA-Beta is a calculated estimate of how well the cells in your pancreas make insulin, based on your fasting glucose and insulin. A low value can point to a shortfall in that function. A high value can point to a pancreas that makes extra insulin because your body responds less well to insulin.[1, 2]
On this page, you can read what HOMA-Beta is, what the guidelines say about a value that is too low or too high, what affects your value and which other values are best to look at alongside it.
Also known as: HOMA-B, HOMA beta-cell function. At the lab: n/a.
HOMA stands for homeostasis model assessment. It is a computer model that predicts which fasting glucose and insulin values go with a given level of beta-cell function and with how well the body responds to insulin. Your own fasting values are compared with those predictions.[1]
Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas. After you eat, your blood sugar rises, and that is the signal for your pancreas to release more insulin. Insulin helps glucose move from your blood into your cells, where it provides energy. When your blood sugar falls, your pancreas releases less insulin.[2]
HOMA-Beta is the part of the model that estimates beta-cell function. In the original research, this estimate was associated with a measurement from a clamp test (Rs = 0.61) and with an intravenous glucose tolerance test (Rs = 0.64).[1]
If your pancreas makes too little insulin, or your body responds less well to insulin, glucose cannot get into your cells properly. The glucose then builds up in your blood and your blood sugar becomes too high.[2]
If your body responds less well to insulin, your pancreas may start making more insulin. This keeps your blood sugar within a good range for a while. Over time, your pancreas may no longer be able to make enough insulin, and your blood sugar can become too high.[2]
In this way, HOMA-Beta helps show which part of a raised fasting blood sugar has to do with how your beta cells work, and which part with how your body responds to insulin.[1]
| Outcome | What it can point to | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Low estimated beta-cell function[1] | A shortfall in beta-cell function, as a contributor to a raised fasting blood sugar | People whose fasting glucose and insulin have been measured |
| Any outcome[1] | A low-precision estimate: the coefficient of variation for the beta-cell deficit is 32% | Anyone whose HOMA-Beta is calculated |
| No fixed cut-off value[1] | The model compares your fasting values with its own predictions | Anyone whose HOMA-Beta is calculated |
Source: Matthews and colleagues, the original paper on the HOMA model in humans. The paper gives no cut-off values for HOMA-Beta.[1]
A high HOMA-Beta can point to a pancreas that makes a lot of insulin relative to your fasting glucose. According to MedlinePlus, your pancreas can make more insulin when your body responds less well to insulin. Too much insulin in your blood can make your blood sugar too low.[1, 2]
A low HOMA-Beta can point to a shortfall in how your beta cells work. In the HOMA model, this is one of the two contributors to a raised fasting blood sugar. The other is how well your body responds to insulin. If your pancreas makes too little insulin, your blood sugar can become too high.[1, 2]
BioProfile is working on its own zones for each value, from risk to optimal. A doctor reviews those zones before they appear in your result.
After you eat, your blood sugar and your insulin rise together. HOMA-Beta works from fasting values. For an insulin test, you usually need to fast for 8 to 12 hours: no eating and no drinking.[2, 1]
If you take biotin, or a supplement that contains biotin, MedlinePlus says you should stop taking it at least one day before your test.[2]
Some people who use insulin make antibodies against insulin. These antibodies can interfere with the insulin test and give an incorrect result. Tell your doctor if you use insulin, but never stop taking a medicine without talking to your doctor first.[2]
If your body responds less well to insulin, your pancreas may make more insulin to get glucose into your cells. According to MedlinePlus, this is more likely if you have a heart condition, a condition of the ovaries with many cysts, or dark, thick, velvety skin on your neck or in your armpits.[2]
HOMA-Beta is part of BioProfile 121 and 150.[3]
The BioProfile editorial team wrote this page on 31 October 2026 from the sources below, which we read on 31 October 2026. Every number on this page appears in one of those sources, with the number of that source next to it. An expert will still review this page; after that review, the expert's name and the date of the review will appear at the top. This page explains and does not diagnose. Discuss an unusual value with your GP.
