Diabetes and Endocrinology

What we do

We provide comprehensive clinical care for endocrine disorders and diabetes.

Our department actively conducts specialized diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including:

Isotope Treatment (Radioactive Iodine Therapy) for Graves' Disease
Endocrine Dynamic Function Tests (Load Tests) for Pituitary and Adrenal Diseases
Adrenal Vein Sampling (AVS) for Primary Aldosteronism

For details, please refer to the section on Target Conditions.

(Updated: October 6, 2022)

Conditions we handle

Metabolic & Thyroid Disorders: Diabetes Mellitus, Graves' Disease, Subacute Thyroiditis, Hypothyroidism, Obesity.

Adrenal Disorders: Hypercortisolism (Cushing's Syndrome), Pheochromocytoma, Primary Aldosteronism, Adrenal Insufficiency, Adrenal Incidentaloma.

Pituitary & Parathyroid Disorders: Acromegaly, Prolactinoma (Prolactin-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma), Hyperparathyroidism, and related conditions.

Medical Information & Patient Guidance

What are Endocrine Disorders?

Endocrine disorders are diseases related to hormones secreted within the body.

Major Conditions Include:

Insulin-Related Disorders: Diabetes Mellitus, etc.
Thyroid Hormone-Related Disorders: Graves' Disease, Subacute Thyroiditis, Hypothyroidism, etc.
Adrenal Hormone-Related Disorders: Hypercortisolism (Cushing's Syndrome), Pheochromocytoma, Primary Aldosteronism, Adrenal Insufficiency, Adrenal Incidentaloma, etc.
Pituitary Hormone-Related Disorders: Acromegaly, Prolactinoma, etc.
Parathyroid Hormone-Related Disorders: Hyperparathyroidism, etc.

What Kind of Disease is Graves' Disease?

Graves' disease is a condition in which the thyroid gland (located at the front of the neck) produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone—the hormone responsible for stimulating metabolic activity.

Even when resting, the body feels as though it is in a "full-sprint state."

Common Symptoms of the "Full-Sprint State" Include:

Rapid pulse and heart palpitations
Shortness of breath and excessive sweating
Weight loss despite a strong appetite
Irritability and hand/foot tremors
Tendency toward diarrhea/loose stools

If you experience these symptoms, please consult your primary care physician (or a local clinic) to have your thyroid function checked via blood tests measuring Free T4 and TSH. High Free T4 combined with low TSH levels suggests the possibility of Graves' disease. Please discuss with your doctor about seeking a specialized evaluation at our hospital or another medical center.

Detailed Evaluation for Graves' Disease

It is crucial to determine the precise underlying cause of elevated thyroid hormones, as treatment strategies vary significantly depending on the etiology.

We take a detailed clinical history, perform a physical examination, and select the necessary diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tools include blood tests, thyroid ultrasonography, and thyroid scintigraphy.

In particular, thyroid scintigraphy is a specialized diagnostic imaging modality available only at select medical facilities, including our hospital. It serves as the single most critical exam for confirming the exact cause of elevated thyroid hormones.

Treatment Options for Graves' Disease

There are two main treatment pathways:

1.Pharmacotherapy: Using antithyroid medications to suppress thyroid hormone production.
2.Definitive Therapy: Reducing thyroid tissue volume through surgery or radioactive isotope therapy.

Treatment choice depends on individual clinical status and is finalized through shared decision-making.

Note: Patients who have been on medication for at least two years, or those planning a future pregnancy, are strongly recommended to consider non-pharmacological treatment options.

What is Isotope Treatment? (Radioactive Iodine Therapy)

Isotope therapy reduces thyroid gland volume using radioactive substances (radioisotopes).

Although "radioactive" may sound intimidating, the procedure simply involves swallowing a single small capsule on an outpatient basis. No external radiation beam is applied to your body.

Once swallowed, the capsule is absorbed through the intestines and concentrates specifically in the thyroid gland, reducing its size and resolving Graves' disease. It does not cause hair loss, cancer, or leukemia, nor does it affect future offspring. The physical burden is low, making it suitable even for patients with severe heart or lung conditions. In the United States, it is widely utilized as a standard, safe first-line treatment.

For clear explanations, refer to the Japan Thyroid Association Guide or visit harecoco.net for detailed medical explanations.

What Kind of Disease is Subacute Thyroiditis?

Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory condition of the thyroid gland that causes pain in the front of the neck accompanied by fever.

Characteristic Manifestations Include:

Severe tenderness when pressing the front lower surface of the neck (thyroid area)
Pain shifting from the right side to the left side (or vice versa)
Persistent fever

Because common viral colds can present similarly, if you experience these symptoms, consult your primary care physician to consider a referral to a specialist center. Pain and fever caused by this condition are managed effectively with analgesics or corticosteroids.

What Kind of Disease is Hypercortisolism (Cushing's Syndrome)?

Cushing's syndrome is a disease characterized by the overproduction of cortisol (a steroid hormone) in the body.

Excessive Steroid Hormone Levels May Lead To:

Rounded "moon face" and facial flushing
Fragile skin and unexplained bruising / subcutaneous hemorrhage
Refractory diabetes mellitus that is difficult to control
Vertebral compression fractures
Rapid weight gain without increased food intake

Similar features can occur in patients taking steroid medications for other medical conditions. If you exhibit these symptoms, please consult your primary care physician to arrange a evaluation at a specialized medical facility. If diabetes or hypertension stems from this condition, surgical removal of the hormone-producing lesion can lead to significant clinical improvement.

What Kind of Disease is Acromegaly?

Acromegaly is caused by the excessive production of growth hormone (the hormone that stimulates body growth).

Excessive Growth Hormone May Cause:

Thickening of skin on hands and feet; enlargement of the nose and jaw (These changes progress very slowly over years, making them hard for family members to notice)
Profuse sweating and persistent, severe headaches
Hand numbness / tingling (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome caused by thickened tissue compressing nerves)
Loud snoring and sleep apnea (due to airway narrowing)
Development of diabetes mellitus and hypertension

If these symptoms apply to you, consult your physician to order a blood test measuring IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 / Somatomedin C). Normal IGF-1 ranges vary by age; if levels are elevated, further diagnostic workup at a specialized center is warranted.

When diagnosed, surgical removal of the growth-hormone-secreting tumor can reverse physical changes and resolve diabetes, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea.

Successful treatment of acromegaly is estimated to extend life expectancy by approximately 10 years.

What Kind of Disease is Prolactinoma?

A prolactinoma is a tumor that overproduces prolactin (the hormone responsible for stimulating breast milk production).

Excessive Prolactin Levels May Lead To:

Galactorrhea (breast milk secretion unrelated to pregnancy)
Amenorrhea (cessation of menstrual periods)
Male infertility

Because elevated prolactin can also stem from medication side effects or gynecological conditions, consult your doctor to evaluate whether a specialist visit is indicated. Pharmacotherapy to suppress prolactin secretion typically resolves galactorrhea and restores normal menstruation.

What Kind of Disease is Hyperparathyroidism?

Hyperparathyroidism occurs when parathyroid hormone (which elevates blood calcium levels) is overproduced.

It is frequently detected incidentally as high blood calcium levels during routine blood tests, often without noticeable symptoms. However, it can cause urinary tract stones (kidney stones), osteoporosis, and renal impairment.

As hypercalcemia can also result from medications (such as vitamin D supplements), consult your physician first. If hyperparathyroidism is identified as the underlying cause of kidney stones or osteoporosis, surgical removal of the overactive parathyroid tissue can resolve the condition.

(Medical Information Section Updated: February 25, 2022)

Number of cases

Total Outpatient Consultations: 32,842 patients
Total Inpatient Patient Days / Admissions: 403 patient days (or admissions)

(FY2024 Track Record)

The majority of outpatients are for diabetic and hyperlipidemia and thyroid diseases in our departemtn. Most of the inpatients have diabetes, who are engaged in diabetes education, blood glucose control, evaluation and treatment of diabetic complications, and many referrals from neighboring medical institutions.

In addition, the following medical treatments are also provided.

1) Support fro diabetic patient
One session is 30 minites which conducted by a nurse for patients with lifestyle-related diseases, if there is a request by a doctor. The nurse in charge uses behavioral medical techniques to support the patient's self-care behavior and provide mental care regarding medical treatment.

2) Diabetes support class
An "Open Diabetes Seminar" is held every two months for outpatients. In addition, for inpatients, doctors, nurses, other profession will educate through video almost every day in the ward.

Operation results

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List of Doctors

Chief of Endocrinology

Masahiro MASUZAWA

Subspeciality
Internal Medicine， Endocrine Disease

Department name	Diabetes and Endocrinology
Medical School	Hamamatsu University， School of Medicine
Special Qualifications	Board Certified and Certified Specialist of Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. Board Certified Specialist of The Japan Endocrine Society Board Advanced Certified Specialist of Japan Diabetes Society. Board Certified Specialist of The Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy
Education & Career	1992.Mar. Graduated from Hamamatsu University School of Medicine 1992.Jun. Resident of Hamamatsu University Hospital 1993.Apr. Resident of Haibara Hospital 1994.Apr. Internal Medicine， Haibara Hospital 1999.Jun. Assistant Chief of Internal Medicine， Kameda Medical Center 2003.Jan. Assistant Chief of Internal Medicine and Connective Tissue Disorders， Kameda Medical Center 1998: Endocrinology， Kameda Medical Center 2009.Jan. Vice Chief of Endocrinology 2011.Apr. Chief of Endocrinology

Vice Chief of Endocrinology

Masaki MIURA

Subspeciality
Diabetes ， Endocrine

Department name	Diabetes and Endocrinology
Medical School	Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Specialist of The Japan Diabetes Society
Education & Career	2007. Graduated from Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine 2007. Ouji Coop Hospital 2009. Endocrinology， Tachikawa Sougo General Hospital 2012. Endocrinology，Juntendo University 2018. Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital 2020. Vice Chief of Endocrinology， Kameda Medical Center

Vice Chief of Endocrinology

Nobuhiro NAKATAKE

Subspeciality
Endocrinology

Department name	Diabetes and Endocrinology
Medical School	Ryukyu University， Faculty of Medicine
Education & Career	1999. Graduated from Ryukyu University 1999. Okinawa Chubu Hospital 2001. Endocrinology， Ryukyu University 2003. Clinical Scientist， FIRS Laboratories (TSH receptor monoclonal autoantibody research)， RSR Limited， UK 2003. Research fellow， Cardiff University， School of Medicine， UK 2004. Clinical Attachment， Endocrinology & General Internal Medicine， Caerphilly District Miner’s Hospital， UK 2007. Noguchi Thyroid Hospital 2010. Tajiri Thyroid Clinic 2013. General Internal Medicine， Saiseikai Fukuoka General Hospital 2017. Endocrinology， Fukuoka Tokushukai Hospital 2021. Endocrinology， Kameda General Hospital

Chief of Endocrinology

Osamu OGAWA

Subspeciality
Diabetes， Obesity

Department name	Diabetes and Endocrinology
Medical School	Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Physician of The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Specialist and Advanced Certified Specialist of The Japan Diabetes Society Board Certified Specialist of Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine Board Certified Physician of Japan Medical Association
Education & Career	1994.Mar. Graduated from Juntendo University 1994.Jun. Resident of Ohta Nishinouchi Hospital 1996.Apr. Fukushima Medical University Hospital 1997.Apr. Onomachi Hospital 1998.Apr. Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine 1998.Sep. Takayanagi Hospital 2006.Oct. Midorigaoka Ekimae Clinic 2010.Sep. Endocrinology， Kameda Medical Center 2010.Oct. Vice Chief of Endocrinology， Kameda Medical Center 2011.Apr. Chief of Endocrinology， Kameda Medical Center