ICD-10 Guide

R79.83

Abnormal findings of blood amino-acid level

BILLABLE STATUSYes

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R79.83 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of abnormal findings of blood amino-acid level.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Abnormal findings of blood amino-acid levels refer to deviations from the normal range of amino acids present in the bloodstream. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and play critical roles in various metabolic processes. Abnormal levels can indicate metabolic disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or other underlying health issues. Common symptoms associated with abnormal amino acid levels may include fatigue, muscle weakness, developmental delays in children, or neurological symptoms depending on the specific amino acid involved. Laboratory findings may reveal elevated or decreased levels of specific amino acids, which can be identified through specialized blood tests. Conditions such as phenylketonuria (PKU), maple syrup urine disease, and other inherited metabolic disorders can lead to significant alterations in amino acid profiles. Clinicians often utilize these findings to guide further diagnostic testing and management strategies.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

Variety of underlying conditions that can cause abnormal amino acid levels.
Need for precise documentation of laboratory findings.
Differentiation between primary and secondary causes of abnormalities.
Potential overlap with other metabolic disorders requiring careful coding.

Audit Risk Factors

Inadequate documentation of laboratory results.
Failure to specify the type of amino acid abnormality.
Misclassification of primary vs. secondary causes.
Lack of correlation between clinical findings and laboratory results.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed documentation of patient history, symptoms, and laboratory results is essential. Include any relevant dietary history or metabolic disorders.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with unexplained fatigue, muscle weakness, or developmental delays.

Billing Considerations

Consider the patient's age and nutritional status when interpreting amino acid levels.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation should include immediate lab results and any interventions taken.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Acute presentations of metabolic crises in patients with known metabolic disorders.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and documentation of symptoms and lab findings are critical in emergency settings.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R79.83 When

Follow official coding guidelines for reporting abnormal laboratory findings
Ensure that the abnormality is clearly documented and linked to the patient's clinical presentation

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R79.83 When

No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

82140CPT Code

Amino acid analysis

Clinical Scenario

Used when testing for specific amino acid levels in the blood.

Documentation Requirements

Document the reason for the test and any relevant clinical findings.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the test is appropriate for the patient's clinical condition.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings, improving the ability to capture the nuances of metabolic disorders and their implications.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings, improving the ability to capture the nuances of metabolic disorders and their implications.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings, improving the ability to capture the nuances of metabolic disorders and their implications.

Resources

Clinical References

•
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

•
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I document when coding R79.83?

Document the specific amino acid levels, any symptoms the patient is experiencing, and the clinical context that led to the testing.

ICD-10 R79.83 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of abnormal findings of blood amino-acid level.