Terminology

The Trainees and Members’ Committee (T&MC) is a representative Committee of elected Trainees and Members of the College (RCPE). The Committee provides support for trainees and to ensure that the views of trainees are represented in all College discussions and to represent trainees in our external discussions, such as within the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB).

T&MC committee member information

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is caused by absolute insulin deficiency due to destruction (most commonly autoimmune destruction) of pancreatic beta-cells.

NICE CKS - T1DM

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is caused by insulin resistance and a relative insulin deficiency.

NICE CKS - T2DM

Tri-iodothyronine (T₃) is active thyroid hormone, and regulates the body's metabolism.

Thyroxine (T₄) is a prohormone, converted to active T3 by peripheral deiodination.

T₄ is the transported in the blood from the thyroid; the majority is protein-bound. Free and total (free and bound) T₄ is measured in TFTs.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other organs and sites (extrapulmonary TB), such as the meninges, lymph nodes and bones/joints.

TB infection can be 'active' (symptomatic and transmissible) or 'latent' (asymptomatic and non-transmissible).

NICE CKS - TB

TBI is traumatic brain injury.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses a mild electrical current to help manage pain or muscle spasm.

TENS can be used in a number of painful conditions including joint pain, pelvic pain (such as in endometriosis) and during labour.

NHS - TENS information

Thyroid function tests (TFTs) are a group of blood tests (measuring TSH, T4, T3) used to check the function of the thyroid.

TFTs can be used to diagnose thyroid disease and to monitor treatment (thyroid suppression or thyroid hormone replacement).

Thyroid antibodies may also be tested.

NICE CKS - Hypothyroidism

NICE CKS - Hyperthyroidism

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA, also known as 'mini-stroke') is a "transient (less than 24 hours) neurological dysfunction caused by focal brain, spinal cord, or retinal ischemia, without evidence of acute infarction".

TIAs are associated with increased risk of ischaemic stroke (particularly in the short-term), highlighting higher risk patients who should be assessed for aggressive management of stroke risk factors.

NICE CKS - Stroke and TIA

A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS or TIPSS) is an artificial channel within the liver connecting the portal vein with the hepatic vein, allowing (a proportion of) blood draining from the bowel to bypass the liver's portal venous circulation.

TIPS is used to treat portal hypertension and is a life-saving procedure in oesophageal/gastric variceal bleeding.

Radiopaedia - TIPS

TLoC is transient loss of consciousness - also known as 'blackout'.

NICE Clinical Guideline (CG109) - Transient loss of consciousness ('blackouts') in over 16s

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is the feeding of specialist nutritional products to a person intravenously, bypassing the GI tract.

BNF - Intravenous nutrition

Thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura (TTP) is a rare blood disorder that results in blood clots forming in small blood vessels throughout the body (disseminated microvascular platelet rich-thrombi).

TTP results in a low platelet count, low red blood cells (microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia), and often kidney, heart, and brain dysfunction due to reduced oxygen-rich blood flow.

TTP is managed with plasma therapy (plasma exchange for acquired TTP; FFP for inherited TTP) and immunosuppression.