Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel With Score (Lab Panel)
It estimates insulin resistance using fasting insulin and glucose to give an IR score, and you can order it through Vitals Vault with Quest labs.
This panel bundles multiple biomarker tests in one order—your report explains how results fit together.
This panel is designed to estimate how hard your body has to work to keep blood sugar in range. It combines fasting glucose and fasting insulin into an insulin resistance score, which can reveal an early metabolic pattern even when your glucose alone looks “normal.”
Insulin resistance is common, and it can show up as stubborn weight gain around the midsection, increased hunger or cravings, fatigue after meals, or rising triglycerides. However, symptoms are not specific, so testing is useful when you want objective data.
Your result is not a diagnosis by itself. It is a risk and pattern signal that is most helpful when you interpret it alongside your medical history, medications, and other cardiometabolic labs.
Do I need a Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel With Score test?
You may want this panel if you are trying to understand whether insulin resistance could be contributing to weight changes, elevated triglycerides, fatty liver risk, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patterns, or a family history of type 2 diabetes. It can also be helpful if your A1c or fasting glucose is borderline and you want a clearer picture of what is happening “upstream.”
You might also consider it if your routine labs look acceptable but you have signs of metabolic strain, such as higher blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, or increasing waist circumference. In many people, fasting insulin rises before fasting glucose does, so insulin-based scoring can detect risk earlier than glucose-only screening.
If you are already being treated for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, this panel can sometimes help you and your clinician track whether lifestyle changes or medications are improving insulin sensitivity over time. It is less useful during pregnancy or in situations where fasting is not feasible, because results can be harder to interpret.
Testing supports clinician-directed care and shared decision-making. If your score is high, the next step is usually confirming the pattern with related labs and discussing a plan rather than trying to self-diagnose from one number.
This is a laboratory-developed test (performed in a CLIA-certified lab); results should be interpreted in clinical context and are not a standalone diagnosis.
Lab testing
Order labs to measure Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel with Score
from $149.49 at Quest Diagnostics
About 1 week
Schedule online — results typically within a week
Clear next steps
Guidance included, with follow-up care available
HSA / FSA
Eligible for pre-tax health spending accounts
Get this test with Vitals Vault
Vitals Vault lets you order the Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel With Score directly and complete your blood draw at a Quest location. You get clear results you can share with your clinician, and you can retest on a schedule that matches your goals.
If you want help making sense of your score, PocketMD can walk you through what the panel measures, what patterns commonly go with insulin resistance, and which follow-up labs are worth considering based on your situation. That can be especially useful when your fasting glucose is “fine,” but you still suspect metabolic issues.
Because insulin resistance is often part of a broader cardiometabolic picture, Vitals Vault also makes it easy to add companion testing (such as fasting glucose, A1c, or lipid markers) or to repeat the same panel after a period of lifestyle or medication changes to see whether the trend is moving in the right direction.
- Order online and draw at Quest
- PocketMD guidance for next steps and retest timing
- Easy reorders to track trends over time
Key benefits of Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel With Score testing
- Flags early insulin resistance patterns that may not show up on fasting glucose alone.
- Combines fasting insulin and glucose into a single score that is easier to trend over time.
- Helps explain cardiometabolic risk patterns such as high triglycerides, low HDL, or central weight gain.
- Supports targeted lifestyle planning by showing whether insulin demand is elevated at baseline.
- Provides a baseline before starting or changing therapies that affect glucose and insulin dynamics.
- Helps you decide when broader metabolic testing (A1c, lipids, liver markers) is worth adding.
- Makes it straightforward to retest after 8–12 weeks to see if your plan is improving insulin sensitivity.
What is the Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel With Score?
The Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel With Score is a blood test panel that estimates insulin resistance by measuring fasting glucose and fasting insulin and then calculating a derived score. Insulin resistance means your muscle, liver, and fat cells do not respond to insulin as efficiently, so your pancreas often compensates by making more insulin to keep glucose in range.
Because glucose can stay normal for years while insulin rises, an insulin-based score can identify metabolic strain earlier than glucose-only screening. Over time, persistent insulin resistance can contribute to prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and higher cardiovascular risk.
The “score” on your report is a calculated value based on the measured inputs. Different labs may use different calculation methods or reference intervals, so the most reliable way to interpret your result is to use the reference range printed on your report and compare it to your prior results from the same lab when possible.
Why fasting matters
Food intake raises glucose and triggers insulin release, sometimes for several hours. A true fasting sample (commonly 8–12 hours with water only) helps the panel reflect your baseline insulin demand rather than your response to a recent meal.
How this differs from A1c
A1c reflects your average blood sugar over roughly 2–3 months. This panel is more about insulin dynamics at a point in time, which can change sooner with weight loss, activity, sleep, stress, or medication changes.
What do my Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel With Score results mean?
Low insulin resistance score (more insulin sensitive)
A lower score generally suggests your body does not need to produce as much insulin to keep fasting glucose in range. In many people, that aligns with better metabolic flexibility and lower risk for progressing to prediabetes. If your score is very low and you also have low fasting glucose or symptoms like shakiness or lightheadedness, your clinician may consider whether you are under-fueling, over-medicating, or experiencing episodes of low blood sugar. The most useful comparison is your own trend over time using the same lab method.
In-range score (expected insulin demand for fasting state)
An in-range score usually means your fasting insulin and glucose are in a pattern the lab considers typical. That does not guarantee there is no insulin resistance, especially if you have strong risk factors, but it makes significant fasting insulin resistance less likely. If you are working on metabolic health, an in-range result can be a helpful baseline to maintain. Pairing this with A1c and a lipid profile can give a more complete risk picture.
High insulin resistance score (higher insulin demand)
A higher score generally means your body is producing more insulin than expected to maintain fasting glucose, which is a common sign of insulin resistance. This pattern often precedes rising A1c or fasting glucose, so it can be an early warning signal even when standard screening looks normal. Next steps often include confirming the pattern with related tests (such as A1c, triglycerides/HDL, and sometimes liver enzymes) and discussing lifestyle or medication options with your clinician. If you are already on glucose-lowering medication, a high score can also reflect timing, dosing, or incomplete response.
Factors that can influence your score
Not fasting, recent intense exercise, acute illness, poor sleep, and high stress can all shift glucose and insulin and change the calculated score. Certain medications can also affect results, including steroids, some antipsychotics, and drugs used for diabetes or weight management. Body weight changes, alcohol intake, and underlying liver disease can influence insulin sensitivity as well. For the cleanest comparison, try to repeat the test under similar conditions and review medication timing with your clinician.
What’s included
- C-Peptide, Lc/Ms/Ms
- Insulin, Intact, Lc/Ms/Ms
- Insulin Resistance Score
Similar or related tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast for the Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel With Score?
Yes, fasting is typically required because the panel uses fasting glucose and fasting insulin. Aim for 8–12 hours with water only unless your clinician gives different instructions. If you did not fast, your score may reflect a recent meal rather than baseline insulin demand.
What is a “normal” insulin resistance score?
“Normal” depends on the lab’s calculation method and reference interval, so use the range printed on your report. The most meaningful interpretation is whether your score is flagged high and how it changes over time under similar testing conditions. If you have risk factors, your clinician may still consider follow-up testing even if the score is in range.
Is this the same as HOMA-IR?
It is similar in concept because both use fasting glucose and fasting insulin to estimate insulin resistance. Some reports use a HOMA-IR calculation, while others use a proprietary or lab-specific derived score. The practical takeaway is the same: higher values generally indicate higher insulin demand for the same glucose level.
How often should I retest insulin resistance?
If you are making meaningful lifestyle changes or starting/changing medication, many people retest in about 8–12 weeks to see a trend. If your results are stable and you are monitoring long-term risk, retesting every 6–12 months may be reasonable. Your clinician can tailor timing based on your baseline risk and goals.
Can I have insulin resistance with a normal fasting glucose?
Yes. In early insulin resistance, your pancreas can compensate by producing more insulin, keeping fasting glucose in the normal range. That is one reason insulin-based scoring can be useful when glucose alone does not match your symptoms or risk profile.
What follow-up tests are commonly paired with this panel?
Common companions include hemoglobin A1c, a lipid panel (especially triglycerides and HDL), and sometimes liver enzymes if fatty liver risk is a concern. Your clinician may also consider markers of inflammation or additional cardiometabolic testing depending on your history. PocketMD can help you map which add-ons fit your specific question.