A 67-Year-Old Man Comes to the Office Due to Increased

A 67-year-old man comes to the office due to increased fatigue and weight gain over the past 6 months.  He has hypertension controlled with a calcium channel blocker.  Two years ago, the patient's physical examination was unremarkable, and his blood tests, including a lipid panel, were normal.  Blood pressure is 135/98 mm Hg, and pulse is 62/min.  BMI is 28 kg/m².  On physical examination, the thyroid appears to be mildly enlarged and is irregular and firm in consistency.  Laboratory studies reveal elevated TSH, low free thyroxine (T4) , high total and LDL cholesterol, and mildly elevated triglyceride levels.  Which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism for the elevated cholesterol in this patient?

A) Activation of transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha
B) Decreased LDL receptor gene expression
C) Increased lipoprotein lipase gene expression
D) Induction of HMG-CoA reductase
E) Upregulation of LDL receptor degradation

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free