Su Hee Kim, MD

PRIMARY APPOINTMENT:

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology, and Metabolism

TRAINING:

• 2005, B.A, Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
• 2010, M.D., Jefferson Medical College
• 2013, Residency in Internal Medicine, University of Virginia Health System
• 2017, Fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Virginia Health System
• 2018, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, University of Virginia Health System
• 2017, Board certification in Endocrinology and Metabolism, American Board of Internal Medicine
• 2020, Board certification in Obesity Medicine, American Board of Obesity Medicine

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

In young women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), several factors contribute to hyperandrogenism: 1) excess luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, 2) abnormal ovarian steroidogenesis, 3) abnormal adrenal steroidogenesis, and 4) hyperinsulinemia/ insulin resistance. However, the relative contributions of these factors in young adult vs. late reproductive-aged women with PCOS are unknown. Identifying the most important predictor(s) of hyperandrogenism in older women with PCOS will be important for devising the most relevant therapeutic strategies for older women with PCOS. While oral contraceptives are effective in treating hyperandrogenism and menstrual dysfunction, they are associated with adverse cardiovascular risks that may further increase with age. Therefore, alternative therapies (e.g., metformin) could be preferable for older women with PCOS, but the relative desirability of oral contraceptives vs. metformin is not known in older PCOS women. The goals of our research include:

1. Determining the relative contributions of the predictors of hyperandrogenism in older vs. young women with PCOS
2. Determining the relative desirability of metformin vs. oral contraceptives in treating PCOS in women of late reproductive age

Our research is currently supported by NIH K23 HD098319 (2019-2024) under the mentorship of Dr. Christopher R. McCartney.  My postdoctoral work was previously supported by NIH F32 HD088047.

• Kim SH, Lundgren JA, Bhabhra R, Collins JS, Patrie JT, Burt Solorzano CM, Marshall JC, McCartney CR. Progesterone-mediated inhibition of the GnRH pulse generator: differential sensitivity as a function of sleep status. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018 March; 103(3):1112-1121. PMID: 29300925. PMCID: PMC6283412.
• Kim SH, Burt Solorzano CM, McCartney CR. Progesterone administration does not acutely alter LH pulse secretion in the mid-follicular phase in women. Physiol Rep. 2018 April; 6(8): e13680. PMID: 29696832. PMCID: PMC5917047.
• Lundgren JA, Kim SH, Burt Solorzano CM, McCartney CR, Marshall JC. Progesterone suppression of LH pulse frequency in adolescent girls with hyperandrogenism: effects of metformin. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017 October; 103(1):263-270. PMID: 29095983. PMCID: PMC5761484.