2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T38.1X6

Underdosing of thyroid hormones and substitutes

ICD-10-CM Code:
T38.1X6
ICD-10 Code for:
Underdosing of thyroid hormones and substitutes
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances
      (T36-T50)
      • Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of hormones and their synthetic substitutes and antagonists, not elsewhere classified
        (T38)

T38.1X6 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of underdosing of thyroid hormones and substitutes. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Underdosing of thyroid hormones and substitutes

Non-specific codes like T38.1X6 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 underdosing of thyroid hormones and substitutes:

  • Use T38.1X6A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.1X6D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.1X6S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Correspondence as Topic

    works on written communication between persons or between institutions or organizations.
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell

    a group of disorders resulting from the abnormal proliferation of and tissue infiltration by langerhans cells which can be detected by their characteristic birbeck granules (x bodies), or by monoclonal antibody staining for their surface cd1 antigens. langerhans-cell granulomatosis can involve a single organ, or can be a systemic disorder.
  • Letter

    work consisting of written or printed communication between individuals or between persons and representatives of corporate bodies. the correspondence may be personal or professional. in medical and other scientific publications the letter is usually from one or more authors to the editor of the journal or book publishing the item being commented upon or discussed. letter is often accompanied by comment.
  • Thyroglobulin

  • Iodide Peroxidase

    a hemeprotein that catalyzes the oxidation of the iodide radical to iodine with the subsequent iodination of many organic compounds, particularly proteins. ec 1.11.1.8.
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone

    specific high affinity binding proteins for thyroid hormones in target cells. they are usually found in the nucleus and regulate dna transcription. these receptors are activated by hormones that leads to transcription, cell differentiation, and growth suppression. thyroid hormone receptors are encoded by two genes (genes, erba): erba-alpha and erba-beta for alpha and beta thyroid hormone receptors, respectively.
  • Thyroxine

    the major hormone derived from the thyroid gland. thyroxine is synthesized via the iodination of tyrosines (monoiodotyrosine) and the coupling of iodotyrosines (diiodotyrosine) in the thyroglobulin. thyroxine is released from thyroglobulin by proteolysis and secreted into the blood. thyroxine is peripherally deiodinated to form triiodothyronine which exerts a broad spectrum of stimulatory effects on cell metabolism.
  • Thyroxine-Binding Globulin

    a thyroid hormone transport protein found in serum. it binds about 75% of circulating thyroxine and 70% of circulating triiodothyronine.
  • Thyroxine-Binding Proteins

    blood proteins that bind to thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and transport them throughout the circulatory system.
  • Triiodothyronine

    a t3 thyroid hormone normally synthesized and secreted by the thyroid gland in much smaller quantities than thyroxine (t4). most t3 is derived from peripheral monodeiodination of t4 at the 5' position of the outer ring of the iodothyronine nucleus. the hormone finally delivered and used by the tissues is mainly t3.
  • Triiodothyronine, Reverse

    a metabolite of thyroxine, formed by the peripheral enzymatic monodeiodination of t4 at the 5 position of the inner ring of the iodothyronine nucleus.

Coding Guidelines

Underdosing refers to taking less of a medication than is prescribed by a provider or a manufacturer's instruction. Codes for underdosing should never be assigned as principal or first-listed codes. If a patient has a relapse or exacerbation of the medical condition for which the drug is prescribed because of the reduction in dose, then the medical condition itself should be coded.

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of hormones and their synthetic substitutes and antagonists, not elsewhere classified (T38). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Table of Drugs and Chemicals

The code is referenced in the Table of Drugs and Chemicals, this table contains a classification of drugs, industrial solvents, corrosive gases, noxious plants, pesticides, and other toxic agents.

According to ICD-10-CM coding guidelines it is advised to do not code directly from the Table of Drugs and Chemicals, instead always refer back to the Tabular List when doing the initial coding. Each substance in the table is assigned a code according to the poisoning classification and external causes of adverse effects. It is important to use as many codes as necessary to specify all reported drugs, medicinal or chemical substances. If the same diagnosis code describes the causative agent for more than one adverse reaction, poisoning, toxic effect or underdosing, utilize the code only once.

Substance Poisoning
Accidental
(unintentional)
Poisoning
Accidental
(self-harm)
Poisoning
Assault
Poisoning
Undetermined
Adverse
effect
Underdosing
CytomelT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
DetrothyronineT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
DextrothyroxinT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
Dextrothyroxine sodiumT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
EuthroidT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
I-thyroxine sodiumT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
LetterT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
LevoidT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
LevothyroxineT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
Levothyroxine
  »sodium
T38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
LiothyronineT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
LiotrixT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
ProloidT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
SynthroidT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
ThyroglobulinT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
Thyroid (hormone)T38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
ThyrolarT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
ThyroxineT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
TiratricolT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
TitroidT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6
TriiodothyronineT38.1X1T38.1X2T38.1X3T38.1X4T38.1X5T38.1X6

Patient Education


Hormones

Hormones are your body's chemical messengers. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues or organs. They work slowly, over time, and affect many different processes, including:

  • Growth and development
  • Metabolism - how your body gets energy from the foods you eat
  • Sexual function
  • Reproduction
  • Mood

Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make hormones. The major endocrine glands are the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas. In addition, men produce hormones in their testes and women produce them in their ovaries.

Hormones are powerful. It takes only a tiny amount to cause big changes in cells or even your whole body. That is why too much or too little of a certain hormone can be serious. Laboratory tests can measure the hormone levels in your blood, urine, or saliva. Your health care provider may perform these tests if you have symptoms of a hormone disorder. Home pregnancy tests are similar - they test for pregnancy hormones in your urine.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Medication Errors

Medicines treat infectious diseases, prevent problems from chronic diseases, and ease pain. But medicines can also cause harmful reactions if not used correctly. Errors can happen in the hospital, at the health care provider's office, at the pharmacy, or at home. You can help prevent errors by:

  • Knowing your medicines. When you get a prescription, ask the name of the medicine and check to make sure that the pharmacy gave you the right medicine. Make sure that you understand how often you should take the medicine and how long you should take it.
  • Keeping a list of medicines.
    • Write down all of the medicines that you are taking, including the names of your medicines, how much you take, and when you take them. Make sure to include any over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbs that you take.
    • List the medicines that you are allergic to or that have caused you problems in the past.
    • Take this list with you every time you see a health care provider.
  • Reading medicine labels and following the directions. Don't just rely on your memory - read the medication label every time. Be especially careful when giving medicines to children.
  • Asking questions. If you don't know the answers to these questions, ask your health care provider or pharmacist:
    • Why am I taking this medicine?
    • What are the common side effects?
    • What should I do if I have side effects?
    • When should I stop this medicine?
    • Can I take this medicine with the other medicines and supplements on my list?
    • Do I need to avoid certain foods or alcohol while taking this medicine?

Food and Drug Administration


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • 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. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.