Case Study 4: Direct-to-Consumer Testing

Mike, age 58, is considering using a direct-to-consumer (DTC) test to learn about his ApoE genotype. However, he is concerned about the potential implications for his job, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and the risk of developing AD in the future. Mike works for a local family-owned auto repair business with 10 employees.

Mike is adopted and does not have access to his birth family's medical records.

Mike is athletic and cognitively and physically healthy. He is a strong advocate for making healthy lifestyle choices to prevent disease. Mike does not smoke, occasionally drinks beer, and maintains a healthy weight. His blood pressure is 135/80.

Labs: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: 140 mg/dL; total cholesterol: 220 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: 45 mg/dL