Fasting Insulin Resistance Index

A fasting blood test that calculates the Fasting Insulin Resistance Index from your insulin and glucose levels, used to assess insulin sensitivity.

Sample: Blood
Collection: Venous draw at clinic or nurse visit
Results in: 1 day
Biomarkers: 1

Tests for

Fasting Insulin Resistance Index

Compare Health Test Score Single-marker insulin test priced well above its category

£295.00

Buy now — £295.00

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Test specifications

Provider: Better2Know
Sample type: blood
Collection method: venous draw at clinic or nurse visit
Turnaround time: 1 day
Biomarkers tested: 1
At-home test: No
Doctor reviewed: No
Gender focus: Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Better2Know.

Diabetes

Fasting Insulin Resistance Index

About this test

This test calculates the Fasting Insulin Resistance Index, a measure derived from your fasting insulin and glucose levels that is commonly used to assess how sensitive your body is to insulin. Reduced insulin sensitivity is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions, so this kind of test is often used by people with a family history of diabetes, or with obesity, high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol.

With a single calculated marker, it sits in the lower range for clinical depth among the diabetes and blood sugar tests we track. At £295 it is priced far above the £60 median for similarly sized tests in this category, which is the main reason for its very low value for money score. There is no comparison group of directly equivalent named tests on the site yet, so we cannot point to a specific cheaper alternative.

Clarity scores highly because the sample type, collection method and turnaround are described clearly. Collection needs a venous blood draw, at a clinic or during a home nurse visit, and because it is a fasting test you will need to avoid food and drink other than water beforehand. Results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard, which is why the results and follow-up score is lower.

Who is it for?

This may suit people who already have a reason to check their insulin sensitivity, such as a family history of diabetes or metabolic syndrome, obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, or symptoms such as persistent fatigue or unexplained weight gain.

There is no comparison group of similar tests in the data, so we cannot say whether a cheaper index-only test is available elsewhere, though the £295 price is well above the typical cost for diabetes and blood sugar tests of this size. Because results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard, you should take any findings to your GP for interpretation and advice.

How it works

You will need to fast, taking nothing except water, for around 8 to 12 hours beforehand. A single venous blood sample is then taken at a clinic or during a home nurse visit. The laboratory measures your fasting insulin and glucose levels and calculates the index from them, with results typically available within a day. The fact sheet does not state that a doctor reviews the results as standard.

Pros & cons

Pros

Combines fasting insulin and glucose into a single insulin sensitivity index.
Results are typically available within a day.
Collection can be done at a clinic or via a home nurse visit.

Cons

At £295, priced far above the typical cost for similarly sized diabetes tests.
Requires an 8 to 12 hour fast beforehand.
No standard doctor review of the insulin resistance result.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Single-marker insulin test priced well above its category

Editorial confidence: 9.0/10

This £295 fasting blood test calculates the Fasting Insulin Resistance Index from your insulin and glucose levels, as a way of assessing insulin sensitivity. It costs far more than the £60 median for similarly sized diabetes and blood sugar tests we track. There is no doctor review of the results as standard, so any findings need discussing with your GP.

Score breakdown

Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.
Clinical depth 6.3/10

1 biomarkers, placing it in the 30th percentile of diabetes tests we track.
Collection convenience 6.0/10

Requires a venous draw at a clinic; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 1 days, well ahead of the diabetes norm of 2.
Results and follow-up 3.0/10

Results are not doctor-reviewed and no consultation is included; the provider does not describe the report format.
Trust signals 6.5/10

Trustpilot 4.2 from 775 reviews; CQC registered; trading 18+ years.
Value for money 2.0/10

£295.00 against a median of £60.00 for the 18 similarly sized diabetes tests we track (+392%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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