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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR74.02

R74.02

Elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH]

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R74.02 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [ldh].

Key Diagnostic Point:

Elevation of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) levels is a laboratory finding that indicates tissue damage or disease processes affecting various organs. LDH is an enzyme found in almost all body tissues, with the highest concentrations in the heart, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscle, brain, and lungs. Elevated levels of LDH can occur due to a variety of conditions, including hemolysis, liver disease, myocardial infarction, malignancies, and infections. Clinically, patients may present with nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, or localized pain depending on the underlying cause. LDH levels are often measured in conjunction with other laboratory tests to provide a more comprehensive view of a patient's health status. It is important to interpret elevated LDH levels in the context of clinical findings and other laboratory results to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of underlying conditions that can cause elevated LDH levels.
  • Need for correlation with clinical symptoms and other lab findings.
  • Potential for misinterpretation without comprehensive documentation.
  • Variability in normal LDH levels based on age, sex, and laboratory methods.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the clinical context for elevated LDH.
  • Failure to link elevated LDH to a specific diagnosis.
  • Misuse of R74.02 when a more specific code is available.
  • Lack of follow-up documentation to support ongoing elevated levels.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed clinical history, physical examination findings, and correlation with other lab results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or signs of organ dysfunction.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of chronic conditions that may cause persistent elevation of LDH.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation including presenting symptoms, initial lab results, and any immediate interventions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute chest pain, suspected myocardial infarction, or trauma.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment of LDH levels in the context of acute conditions is critical.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R74.02 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that R74
  • 02 is used only when elevated LDH levels are documented without a more specific diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R74.02 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

83615CPT Code

Lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) test

Clinical Scenario

Ordered when elevated LDH levels are suspected.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the test is linked to a specific diagnosis or clinical scenario.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of elevated LDH levels, improving the ability to capture the clinical context and underlying causes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of elevated LDH levels, improving the ability to capture the clinical context and underlying causes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of elevated LDH levels, improving the ability to capture the clinical context and underlying causes.

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 does an elevated LDH level indicate?

An elevated LDH level indicates tissue damage and can be associated with various conditions, including myocardial infarction, liver disease, and malignancies.

How should elevated LDH levels be documented?

Documentation should include the clinical context, any symptoms present, and the rationale for testing, along with follow-up results.