TACE: see transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.
T’AI CHI: a traditional Chinese exercise that promotes the health flow of qi.
TAURINE: an amino acid synthesized by the liver that is necessary for many bodily functions.
T-CELL (T-LYMPHOCYTE): a type of immune system white blood cell.
TELAPREVIR: (brand name Incivek): an HCV protease inhibitor (taken in combination with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin) previously used to treat people with HCV genotype 1.
TELBIVUDINE (Brand name TYZEKA): A nucleoside analogue medicine used to treat chronic hepatitis B. Telbivudine is not recommended as first line of HBV treatment because of the high rate of drug resistance.
TENOFOVIR: (Brand name VIREAD): a nucleoside analogue medicine used to treat chronic hepatitis B and HIV. Tenofovir has a low drug resistance profile so it is recommended as a first line of treatment.
TERATOGENICITY: causing birth defects or malformation of the fetus.
TERMINATED: a study that has been stopped or discontinued before completion.
TESTOSTERONE: the primary male sex hormone or a synthetic analog. Testosterone stimulates the development of male secondary sex characteristics and the production of sperm.
THIOCTIC ACID: see alpha lipoic acid.
THISYLIN: an active component of milk thistle.
THROMBOCYTE: (PLATELET): a type of blood cell responsible for normal blood clotting.
THROMBOCYTOPENIA: an abnormally low number of platelets, which may result in abnormal bleeding and easy bruising.
THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA: a condition caused by a lack of platelets. Small blood vessels under the skin bleed, resulting in purplish discolorations.
THROMBOPOIETIN (TPO): a cytokine that stimulates the production of platelets.
THROMBOSIS: development of blood clots within blood vessels or the heart.
THYMIC FACTOR: a hormone produced by the thymus gland or a synthetic substance that has a similar effect. Thymic factors help promote immune system activity, and are under study as a treatment for HCV. Factors include thymosin, thymopentin, and thymopoietin.
THYMOPOIETIN: see thymic factor.
THYMOPENTIN: see thymic factor.
THYMUS GLAND: a gland in the chest that plays an important role in immune system function; the gland is active in children, but less so in adults.
THYROID GLAND: an organ at base of the neck that produces thyroxin and other hormones involved in regulating metabolism.
THYROIDITIS: inflammation of the thyroid gland.
TID: taken three times daily.
TINNITUS: ringing or buzzing in the ears.
TMA: see transcripton mediated amplification.
TOCOPHERAL: see vitamin E.
TOLERABILITY: the degree to which a drug or other agent produces adverse side effects.
TOPICAL: a medication applied to the skin surface.
TOXICITY (adjective TOXIC): the quality of being poisonous or harmful; often used to refer to drug side effects.
TOXIN: a harmful or poisonous agent.
TRACE ELEMENT: a substance needed in very small amounts for the proper functioning of the body.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM): an ancient Asian system of healing that focuses on achieving internal balance. TCM practitioners use methods such as acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal formulas, and exercises such as t’ai chi and qigong to restore the flow of qi (vital energy) within the body.
TRANSAMINASE: see aminotransferase.
TRANSCATHETER ARTERIAL CHEMOEMBOLIZATION (TACE): a treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma that involves the injection of chemotherapeutic drugs into the tumor’s blood supply.
TRANSCRIPTION (verb TRANSCRIBE): the process of copying genetic material.
TRANSCRIPTON MEDIATED AMPLIFICATION (TMA): a recently developed, highly sensitive viral load test.
TRANSFUSION: the transfer of blood or blood components from one individual to another (or back to the donor, in the case of autologous transfusion).
TRANSIENT: short-lived; not permanent.
TRANSJUGULAR LIVER BIOPSY: a type of liver biopsy in which a sample is taken through the jugular vein in the neck.
TRANSMISSION: spread of a pathogenic organism from one person to another.
TRANSPLANT: surgical transfer of an organ from one person to another.
TRANSIENT ELASTOGRAPHY: see FIBROSCAN
TREATMENT-EXPERIENCED: a person who has had prior treatment for a particular condition.
TREATMENT-NAIVE: a person who has never been treated.
TREATMENT RESPONSE: a favorable outcome from therapy. Several different measures are used to describe HCV treatment response, including biochemical response, histological response, end-of-treatment response, and sustained virological response.
TRIAL: see clinical trial.
TRIGLYCERIDE: an organic compound made up of a fatty acid plus glycerol.
TROUGH LEVEL: the lowest level of a drug reached between doses. Contrast with peak level.
TSH: thyroid stimulating hormone.
T-SUPPRESSOR CELL: a type of T-cell that helps to regulate and control immune system activity.
TUMOR: an abnormal growth of cells. Tumors may be malignant (cancerous) or benign (harmless).
TWINRIX: brand name of a combination hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine.
TX: treatment, transplant.
TYPE 1 DIABETES: see diabetes mellitus.
TYPE 2 DIABETES: see diabetes mellitus.
