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Dr. Runhua Hou, MD

(265 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Endocrinology

Xi'an Medical University

Professional interests include: hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), thyroid cancer, adrenal tumor, and more.

55 Fruit Street Suite 730s
Boston, MA 02114

(617) 726-3872

Dr. Runhua Hou, MD is an endocrinologist in Waltham, MA specializing in adult endocrinology. She graduated from Xi'an Medical University. Dr. Runhua Hou, MD is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION INC.

Office Locations

Address:

52 Second Avenue Blue Building, Suite 3100
Waltham, MA 02451

Address:

55 Fruit Street Suite 730s
Boston, MA 02114

Some issues Dr. Runhua Hou, MD can help you with:

Thyroid Problems

Thyroid problems are a group of conditions that alter hormone regulation and metabolism. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower neck, just below the Adam's apple (laryngeal prominence) and larynx (voice box). Despite its small size, the thyroid has an outsized effect on the body by regulating hormones that control metabolism. Metabolism is the body's process of converting consumed food into fuel to power the entire body. Heart rate, weight, cholesterol, body temperature, and even physical growth and development are all affected by the metabolism.

When the thyroid malfunctions, the body is unable to properly process and allocate energy. Thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cause irregular metabolism. In some cases, the body produces antibodies that attack the thyroid cells for unknown reasons. The damaged thyroid responds by releasing either too little or too much T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. Thyroid malfunctions may also arise from genetic causes or iodine deficiency. Thyroid problems may include:

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that causes hypothyroidism
Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease that causes hyperthyroidism
Goiter
Thyroid nodule
Thyroid cancer

Hashimoto's is the leading cause of hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones to stimulate adequate metabolism. The condition is diagnosed by blood tests that measure TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and detect Hashimoto's antibodies. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include sluggish metabolism, inflammation, fatigue, weight gain, brittle hair, dry skin, and sensitivity to cold. To supplement impaired thyroid function, patients with Hashimoto's are typically prescribed synthetic thyroid hormone pills. Such patients may need to consume synthetic thyroids for the rest of their lives. Other treatments may include dietary changes, such as the avoidance of certain foods and medication to reduce inflammation. Frequent blood tests can inform patients if their TSH levels are within a normal range.

Grave's disease is most frequently the cause of hyperthyroidism, which is when the thyroid produces too many hormones, overstimulating one's metabolism. The condition is also diagnosed by blood tests that measure TSH and detect Grave's antibodies. Elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, sweating, bulging eyes, and weight loss are common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Treatments for hyperthyroidism include oral radioactive iodine, which slowly shrinks the thyroid, slowing the production of excess thyroid hormone. Other anti-thyroid medications such as methimazole (Tapazole) also reduce the production of thyroid hormones. Blood pressure medications known as beta blockers can ease the increased heart rate caused by hyperthyroidism. If treatments are unsuccessful, patients may be prescribed a thyroidectomy, or surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid. Some patients with hyperthyroidism may require ophthalmological (eye medicine) treatments such as eye drops, prednisone, and surgery to reduce eye swelling and bulging.

Untreated thyroid disorders frequently lead to goiters or thyroid nodules. A thyroid goiter is a large lump that can be felt near the base of the neck and is made of swollen thyroid tissue or nodules (excess cell growth). Nodules and goiters are diagnosed by CT scan or ultrasound. Obstructive goiters can cause pain, coughing, and abnormal breathing. The most common cause of goiters is hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). However, Hashimoto's is also known to cause goiters or nodules. Goiters develop from continued damage from antibodies to the thyroid over time. At times, a goiter can result from a cancerous thyroid tumor. Most goiters and nodules are themselves benign.

The exact causes of thyroid cancer are unknown. People who develop thyroid cancer may or may not have another thyroid problem such as Hashimoto's or Grave's disease. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include a nodule that can be felt on the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, swelling in the neck, and neck and throat pain. CT and MRI scans are used to diagnose thyroid cancer. There are four types of thyroid cancer which vary in intensity. Thyroidectomy (thyroid removal surgery) is usually prescribed to treat thyroid cancer.

Thyroid problems are often long-term conditions that require some form of treatment. With regular monitoring and medication, many people with thyroid problems are able to lead active and fulfilling lives.

aspiration	12
diagnostic procedures	12
doctor visit	228
hospital care	73
image guided procedures	12
inpatient care	73
minimally invasive procedures	12
minor procedures	12

**Gender**
Male	85
Female	131

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	158
Black	42
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	68
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	107

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	62
Dementia	8
Cancer	7

aspiration	32
diagnostic procedures	32
doctor visit	282
image guided procedures	32
minimally invasive procedures	32
minor procedures	32
neck imaging	17
ultrasound (sonogram)	17

**Gender**
Male	74
Female	138

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	167
Black	12
Hispanic	22
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	74
From 75 to 84	33
85 and over	13
Less than 65	92

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	41
Dementia	8
Cancer	5

blood draw	13
diabetes management	12
doctor visit	222
lab tests	3
preventive care	11

**Gender**
Male	70
Female	272

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	270
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	34
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	124
From 75 to 84	98
85 and over	48
Less than 65	72

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	38
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	27
Dementia	11
Cancer	11

aspiration	13
blood draw	44
diabetes management	90
diagnostic procedures	13
doctor visit	314
image guided procedures	13
lab tests	147
minimally invasive procedures	13
minor procedures	13
preventive care	63

**Gender**
Male	54
Female	132

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	136
Black	16
Hispanic	0
Asian	18
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	77
From 75 to 84	59
85 and over	27
Less than 65	23

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	40
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	33
Dementia	13
Cancer	12

aspiration	13
blood draw	33
diabetes management	70
diagnostic procedures	13
doctor visit	237
image guided procedures	13
lab tests	61
minimally invasive procedures	13
minor procedures	13
preventive care	33

**Gender**
Male	42
Female	120

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	113
Black	15
Hispanic	0
Asian	20
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	80
From 75 to 84	45
85 and over	19
Less than 65	18

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	41
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	30
Dementia	9
Cancer	16

aspiration	19
blood draw	50
diabetes management	46
diagnostic procedures	19
doctor visit	287
image guided procedures	19
lab tests	125
minimally invasive procedures	19
minor procedures	19
preventive care	66

**Gender**
Male	45
Female	146

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	137
Black	16
Hispanic	0
Asian	18
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	93
From 75 to 84	60
85 and over	13
Less than 65	25

Hypertension	56
High Cholesterol	46
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	18
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	48
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	29
Dementia	8
Cancer	16

blood draw	50
diabetes management	50
doctor visit	351
lab tests	155
preventive care	71

**Gender**
Male	58
Female	189

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	185
Black	14
Hispanic	0
Asian	31
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	118
From 75 to 84	73
85 and over	24
Less than 65	32

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	48
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	32
Dementia	12
Cancer	15

blood draw	12
diabetes management	11
doctor visit	163
lab tests	2
preventive care	10

**Gender**
Male	61
Female	202

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	194
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	29
Other	22
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	141
From 75 to 84	76
85 and over	19
Less than 65	27

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	49
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	28
Dementia	8
Cancer	15

blood draw	59
diabetes management	82
doctor visit	647
lab tests	296
preventive care	126

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Runhua Hou, MD treated as an endocrinologist in Waltham, MA were lab tests, inpatient care, hospital care and preventive care.

aspiration	17
blood draw	37
diabetes management	52
diagnostic procedures	17
doctor visit	304
hospital care	73
image guided procedures	17
inpatient care	73
lab tests	119
minimally invasive procedures	17
minor procedures	17
neck imaging	17
preventive care	55
ultrasound (sonogram)	17

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD.

**Gender**
Female	133
Male	48

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	11
Asian / Pacific Islander	15
Non-Hispanic White	136
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	2
Other	2

**Age**
85 and over	16
75 to 84	44
Less than 65	39
65 to 74	77

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Runhua Hou, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, osteoperosis and diabetes.

Hypertension	49
High Cholesterol	37
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	7
Osteoporosis	28
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	28
Atrial Fibrillation	8
Dementia	7
Cancer	9

Education & Training

Dr. Runhua Hou, MD graduated from Xi'an Medical University. She completed residency at Hospital of Saint Raphael. She is certified by the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, American Board of Internal Medicine and has a state license in Massachusetts.

Medical School: Xi'an Medical University

Residency: Hospital of Saint Raphael

Board Certification: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, American Board of Internal Medicine

Licensed In: Massachusetts

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Runhua Hou, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Massachusetts General Hospital

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION INC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Runhua Hou, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, MultiPlan, Tufts Health Plan, United Healthcare, Aetna, TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, Humana, Railroad Medicare, Coventry, Cigna, Blue California, Beech Street, WellPoint, Medicare ACO, WellSense, Senior Whole Health, Fallon Health, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare, Maine Community Health Options, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, MassHealth and WellSense NH.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Runhua Hou, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

MultiPlan

Tufts Health Plan

United Healthcare

Aetna

TRICARE

Medicare

Medicaid

Humana

Railroad Medicare

Coventry

Cigna

Blue California

Beech Street

WellPoint

Medicare ACO

WellSense

Senior Whole Health

Fallon Health

Commonwealth Care Alliance

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare

Maine Community Health Options

Mass General Brigham Health Plan

MassHealth

WellSense NH

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Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Runhua Hou, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 265 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Runhua Hou, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Waltham, MA.

4.91

Overall Rating

(265 Ratings)

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Biography

Dr. Runhua Hou is a physician who specializes in adult endocrinology. She is rated highly by her patients. Areas of particular interest for Dr. Hou include adrenal tumor, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), and thyroid cancer. Dr. Hou accepts Blue California, Coventry, Viant, and more. She studied medicine at Xi'an Medical University. Dr. Hou's training includes a residency program at Hospital of Saint Raphael. She is conversant in Mandarin. She is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital.

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Dr. Runhua Hou, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Runhua Hou, MD can help you with:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Runhua Hou, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Insurance Information

Ratings & Reviews

Biography

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