In medical contexts, TDS most commonly stands for three times a day. This abbreviation is frequently used on prescriptions to indicate the frequency with which a medication should be taken. However, it's crucial to note that using abbreviations can sometimes lead to errors, so it's best practice to write out "three times a day" in full to avoid any misinterpretations.
TDS in Different Contexts:
While "three times a day" is the most prevalent medical meaning of TDS, it's worth acknowledging other, less common usages:
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Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TDS): In some medical literature, TDS can refer to Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome. This is a hormonal condition affecting men, characterized by low levels of testosterone. This usage is less frequent than the prescription abbreviation.
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Tardive Dyskinesia (TDs): The term "tardive dyskinesia" (often shortened to TD, not TDS) refers to a serious side effect of some medications, causing involuntary, repetitive movements. While sometimes you might see a longer form like "tardive dyskinesia syndrome", the correct and common abbreviation is TD.
Important Note: The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care recommends avoiding abbreviations like TDS in medication documentation to prevent errors. Writing out instructions in full is always the safest practice. See Recommendations for terminology, abbreviations and symbols used in medicines documentation.
