2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R74.02Elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH]

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R70-R79›R74

ICD-10-CM R74.02
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R74.02 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH]. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 947 through 948. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as elevated level of transaminase and lactic acid dehydrogenase. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Abnormal findings without diagnosis.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R74.02
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH]
Short Description
Elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH]
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R74.0
Nonspecific elevation of levels of transaminase and lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH]

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR70-R79Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
CategoryR74Abnormal serum enzyme levels
This CodeR74.02Elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH]

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Elevated level of transaminase and lactic acid dehydrogenase

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Elevated, elevation
      • lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) level
    • Elevated, elevation
      • liver function
        • test
          • lactate dehydrogenase
    • Findings, abnormal, inconclusive, without diagnosis
      • lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR SYM017
Abnormal findings without diagnosis
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement R74.02 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • R74.0 - Nonspec elev of levels of transamns & lactic acid dehydrgnse
FY 2021AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2020.
FY 2022–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About R74.02Overview

Is R74.02 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH] on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does R74.02 group to?

When elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH] is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 947, 948, with relative weights from 0.8005 to 1.2694 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R74.02 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH] is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.