2021 ICD-10-CM Code D50
Iron deficiency anemia
Not Valid for Submission
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 2021 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.
Code Classification
Specific Coding for 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 codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for iron deficiency anemia:
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10 codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more. The following references are applicable to the code D50:
Includes
IncludesThis note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- asiderotic anemia
- hypochromic anemia
Clinical Information
- ANEMIA IRON DEFICIENCY-. anemia characterized by decreased or absent iron stores low serum iron concentration low transferrin saturation and low hemoglobin concentration or hematocrit value. the erythrocytes are hypochromic and microcytic and the iron binding capacity is increased.
Information for Patients
Anemia
Also called: Iron poor blood
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
- Anemia (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Anemia - B12 deficiency (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Anemia caused by low iron -- infants and toddlers (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Anemia of chronic disease (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Anemia of Inflammation and Chronic Disease - NIH
- Febrile/cold agglutinins (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Ferritin blood test (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Hemolytic anemia (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Iron deficiency anemia (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Pernicious anemia (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Vitamin B12 level (Medical Encyclopedia)
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Iron
Iron is a mineral that our bodies need for many functions. For example, iron is part of hemoglobin, a protein which carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our bodies. It helps our muscles store and use oxygen. Iron is also part of many other proteins and enzymes.
Your body needs the right amount of iron. If you have too little iron, you may develop iron deficiency anemia. Causes of low iron levels include blood loss, poor diet, or an inability to absorb enough iron from foods. People at higher risk of having too little iron are young children and women who are pregnant or have periods.
Too much iron can damage your body. Taking too many iron supplements can cause iron poisoning. Some people have an inherited disease called hemochromatosis. It causes too much iron to build up in the body.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Anemia caused by low iron -- infants and toddlers (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Ferritin blood test (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Iron deficiency anemia (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Iron in diet (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Serum iron test (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Taking iron supplements (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Total iron binding capacity (Medical Encyclopedia)
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Code History
- FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
- FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
- FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
- FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
- FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
- FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016 (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)