Calculate disposition index from insulin sensitivity and insulin response, or solve for a missing IS or IR value with supported unit conversions.
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Disposition Index Formula
The disposition index is calculated by multiplying insulin sensitivity by insulin response. The calculator can also rearrange the same equation to solve for either insulin sensitivity or insulin response when you enter the other two values.
- DI = disposition index, unitless in this calculator
- IS = insulin sensitivity
- IR = insulin response
The calculator uses base units internally:
If you leave the disposition index blank, the calculator multiplies insulin sensitivity by insulin response. If you leave insulin sensitivity blank, it divides disposition index by insulin response. If you leave insulin response blank, it divides disposition index by insulin sensitivity. You must enter exactly two values.
Unit Conversions Used for Insulin Sensitivity and Insulin Response
| Input | Selected unit | Conversion to calculator base unit |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin sensitivity | minâ»Âč per ”U/mL | Multiply by 1 |
| Insulin sensitivity | sâ»Âč per pmol/L | Multiply by 360 |
| Insulin response | ”U/mL·min | Multiply by 1 |
| Insulin response | pmol/L·min | Multiply by 0.1666667 |
How to Read the Inputs and Result
| Value | What it represents | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin sensitivity | How strongly the body responds to insulin for glucose regulation. | Higher values generally mean greater insulin sensitivity. |
| Insulin response | The insulin secretion or insulin exposure over a measured period. | Use the same test method and time window when comparing results. |
| Disposition index | A combined measure of insulin sensitivity and insulin response. | There is no single universal cutoff. Interpretation depends on the test protocol and clinical context. |
Example Calculations
Example 1: Calculate disposition index
You enter:
- Insulin sensitivity = 0.0008 minâ»Âč per ”U/mL
- Insulin response = 500 ”U/mL·min
The disposition index is 0.4.
Example 2: Calculate insulin sensitivity
You enter:
- Disposition index = 0.75
- Insulin response = 1800 pmol/L·min
First convert insulin response to the base unit:
Then solve for insulin sensitivity:
The insulin sensitivity is 0.0025 minâ»Âč per ”U/mL.
FAQ
What does the disposition index mean?
The disposition index combines insulin sensitivity and insulin response into one value. It is often used to describe how well insulin secretion compensates for insulin resistance. A lower value can suggest weaker compensation, but the result should be interpreted using the same testing method, population, and clinical context as the reference values being used.
Why is the disposition index unitless here?
The calculator converts insulin sensitivity and insulin response to matching base units before multiplying them. In this setup, the units cancel in the product, so the disposition index is reported as unitless.
Why do I need to enter exactly two values?
The equation has three variables: disposition index, insulin sensitivity, and insulin response. Any two values are enough to solve for the third. If you enter fewer than two values, there is not enough information. If you enter all three, there is no missing variable to calculate.
