ABIM Endocrinology study guide
ABIM Endocrinology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Certification Examination is an ABIM subspecialty examination for physicians who have completed subspecialty training in endocrinology and are ready to demonstrate the knowledge, clinical judgment and skills required for independent practice. Certification tells patients, employers and credentialers that a physician has met a national standard in the discipline. The ABIM Endocrinology study guide has 5 sections and about 1,840 words.
01Diabetes Mellitus and Glucose Metabolism
Diabetes is defined by plasma glucose or A1c criteria: fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL after an ≥8-hour fast; 2-hour plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dL during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test; A1c ≥6.5%; or random plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dL with classic symptoms or hyperglycemic crisis. Prediabetes ranges are fasting 100–125 mg/dL, 2-hour 140–199 mg/dL, and A1c 5.7–6.4%.
349 words, about 2 min02Obesity, Lipids, and Nutrition
BMI classifies overweight (25–29.9 kg/m²) and obesity (≥30), with class 3 at ≥40. Waist circumference adds cardiometabolic risk information; thresholds are 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women, with lower cutoffs for some Asian populations.
320 words, about 2 min03Thyroid Disorders
TSH is the first-line test for primary thyroid dysfunction; free T4 is added when TSH is abnormal or central disease is suspected. Primary hypothyroidism shows high TSH and low free T4; subclinical hypothyroidism shows high TSH with normal free T4.
316 words, about 2 min04Pituitary and Adrenal Disorders
Pituitary evaluation requires understanding the hormone axis: low target-hormone levels with low or inappropriately normal pituitary hormones suggest central deficiency. Prolactinomas cause galactorrhea, amenorrhea, or hypogonadism; prolactin 200 ng/mL strongly suggests a macroadenoma, while mild elevations can reflect stalk effect or medications.
269 words, about 1 min05Reproductive Endocrinology
PCOS is diagnosed by the Rotterdam criteria when two of three are present: oligo-ovulation or anovulation, clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Alternative causes must be excluded, including thyroid disease, hyperprolactinemia, nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and Cushing syndrome.
586 words, about 3 min