2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D50

Iron deficiency anemia

ICD-10-CM Code:: D50
ICD-10 Code for:: Iron deficiency anemia
Is Billable?: Not Valid for Submission
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D50 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Table of Contents

Code Information
Specific Coding
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
Patient Education
Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
Code History

Specific Coding Applicable to Iron deficiency anemia

Non-specific codes like D50 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for iron deficiency anemia:

Use D50.0 for Iron deficiency anemia secondary to blood loss (chronic) - BILLABLE CODE
Use D50.1 for Sideropenic dysphagia - BILLABLE CODE
Use D50.8 for Other iron deficiency anemias - BILLABLE CODE
Use D50.9 for Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism
D50–D89
- Nutritional anemias
  D50-D53
  - Iron deficiency anemia
    D50

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.

Includes

asiderotic anemia
hypochromic anemia

Patient Education

Anemia

If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, and high rates of red blood cell destruction.

Conditions that may lead to anemia include:

Heavy periods
Pregnancy
Ulcers
Colon polyps or colon cancer
Inherited disorders
A diet that does not have enough iron, folic acid or vitamin B12
Blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, or cancer
Aplastic anemia, a condition that can be inherited or acquired
G6PD deficiency, a metabolic disorder

Anemia can make you feel tired, cold, dizzy, and irritable. You may be short of breath or have a headache.

Your doctor will diagnose anemia with a physical exam and blood tests. Treatment depends on the kind of anemia you have.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Iron

What is iron?

Iron is a mineral that our bodies need for growth and development. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. Iron is also important for healthy muscles, bone marrow, and organ function. Your body also needs iron to make some hormones.

How do you get iron?

Iron is found naturally in many foods and is added to some fortified food products. Foods that are high in iron include:

Lean meat, seafood, and poultry
Iron-fortified breakfast cereals and breads
White beans, lentils, spinach, kidney beans, and peas
Nuts and some dried fruits, such as raisins

Iron is available in supplements, either on its own or as part of many multivitamin/mineral supplements.

What causes low iron?

Most people in the United States get enough iron. The amount that you need each day depends on your age, your sex, and whether you consume a mostly plant-based diet.

Sometimes people can have trouble getting enough iron. There can be many causes, including blood loss, a poor diet, or a problem absorbing enough iron from foods. Those who are more likely to have low iron include people who:

Have heavy periods
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Are infants (especially if they were born premature or low birth weight)
Are frequent blood donors
Have cancer, certain digestive diseases, or heart failure
Are on kidney dialysis
Have trouble absorbing iron because they:
- Have a digestive condition such as celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or Helicobacter pylori infection
- Had weight loss surgery

What happens if you don't get enough iron?

If you have too little iron, you may develop iron-deficiency anemia. It may not cause symptoms at first, but over time, it can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and trouble with memory and concentration. Treatment for low iron and iron-deficiency anemia is usually with iron supplements.

What happens if you get too much iron?

Too much iron can damage your body. For example, if you are healthy and take too many iron supplements, you may have symptoms such as constipation, nausea and vomiting, abdominal (belly) pain, and diarrhea. Higher iron levels can cause ulcers. Extremely high levels can lead to organ damage, coma, and death.

A disease called hemochromatosis can cause too much iron to build up in the body. Hemochromatosis is inherited (passed down through families). It is usually treated by removing blood (and iron) from your body on a regular basis.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements