<prompt> Increased blood levels of cholesterol that are seen in hypothyroidism are most likely due toDecreased calorigenesisDecreased production of LDL receptor in liver and the thus decreased clearance by liverDecreased production of LDL receptor in the adipose tissue and increases release of cholesterol from adipose tissuesIncreased breakdown of lipoproteins releasing releasing cholesterol in circulation  <response>: Thyroid hormones induce the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A HMG-CoA reductase, which is the first step in cholesterol biosynthesis.Moreover, triiodothyronine T3 upregulates LDL receptors by controlling the LDL receptor gene activation. This T3-mediated gene activation is done by the direct binding of T3 to specific thyroid hormone-responsive elementsFuhermore, T3 controls the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 SREBP-2, which in turn regulates LDL receptors gene expression Ref: DM Vasudevan, 7th edition, page no: 336, 334, 676 