In the familial hypercholesterolaemia case, what was the patient’s baseline LDL level?

In the familial hypercholesterolaemia case, what was the patient’s baseline LDL level?

• A. 5.5 mmol/L
• B. 4.2 mmol/L
• C. 3.0 mmol/L
• D. 2.9 mmol/L

Answer: (B)

In familial hypercholesterolaemia, the baseline LDL level reflects the untreated state where LDL clearance is impaired by faulty LDL receptors. This typically means the LDL remains well above normal, often in the 4–6 mmol/L range for heterozygous FH. In this case, the value given as the patient’s baseline is 4.2 mmol/L. This fits the pattern of an elevated, untreated LDL level seen in FH and is a reasonable baseline from which to measure response to therapy. The other numbers are either closer to normal or would indicate a different severity of elevation than what this patient’s case described. So, 4.2 mmol/L is the baseline reported for this patient.

In familial hypercholesterolaemia, the baseline LDL level reflects the untreated state where LDL clearance is impaired by faulty LDL receptors. This typically means the LDL remains well above normal, often in the 4–6 mmol/L range for heterozygous FH.

In this case, the value given as the patient’s baseline is 4.2 mmol/L. This fits the pattern of an elevated, untreated LDL level seen in FH and is a reasonable baseline from which to measure response to therapy. The other numbers are either closer to normal or would indicate a different severity of elevation than what this patient’s case described. So, 4.2 mmol/L is the baseline reported for this patient.