ICD 10 Code For Elevated Liver Enzymes

Have you ever wondered what the ICD 10 Code for elevated liver enzymes was? There’s no need to look further, this post will provide you all the information you need relating to this topic and more.

The ICD 10 Code for elevated liver enzymes is R94.5 and it was adopted on October 1, 2018. This is the American version of the ICD 10 code for elevated liver enzymes and it is important for diagnosis and treatment purposes.

There is a lot left to know about this condition and the rest of this post will provide you all that information.

Elevated Liver Enzymes: Overview

Elevated liver enzymes as the name denotes is a condition which affects the liver. It is majorly an indication of damage to the cells that constitute the liver or inflammation to these cells. Before going ahead, it is important to discuss a little about the liver and its functions.

The Liver And its Functions in The Body

Here’s a cool fact, the largest organ in the body is the liver and it performs several functions especially with respect to digestion and inhibiting infections. It is located on the right of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. Some of the functions performed by the liver include:

  1. It generates most of the proteins required by the body.
  2. Releases energy from breaking down nutrients from food.
  3. It is a storehouse for nutrients such as vitamins, sugars, and minerals.
  4. Bile, which helps in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K and the synthesis of fat.
  5. Facilitates substances which allow for clotting of the blood.
  6. Helps the body to excrete byproducts of certain drugs which are harmful to the body.
  7. Fights infections by fishing out bacteria and removing them from the bloodstream.

Liver Enzymes: Definition

An enzyme is a chemical catalyst released by the body to accelerate reactions within the body system. The liver is not void of enzymes and some of the enzymes present here include alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and aspartate transaminase (AST). In a nutshell, liver enzymes are enzymes present in the liver which speed up the rate reaction within the organ.

Elevated liver enzymes is a condition which is discovered through a blood test and reveals that some of the cells of the organ are either inflamed or injured. This test is usually prescribed by a doctor when he notices a patient has traces of liver disease or is at a high risk of a liver condition.

Causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes

So many conditions may lead to elevated liver enzymes. It can be a bit worrisome when you discover that such a condition has several causes, many of which might be unknown for a while. The cause of this disease is determined by the doctor after carrying out the necessary tests and evaluations. In some cases, just reviewing a patient’s signs and symptoms helps the doctor come up with a diagnosis.

Stated below are the most common causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes:

  1. Frequent use of certain over-the-counter medications. The most common culprit is acetaminophen, which has the common name Tylenol.
  2. The use of a couple of prescription drugs such as statin drugs which are prescribed as a means of controlling cholesterol.
  3. Excess consumption of alcohol.
  4. Heart failure. This is medically known by the name congestive heart disorder. It is a condition which occurs when less than enough blood is pumped by the heart. It may a result of high blood pressure or narrowed arteries. These cause the heart to be less potent with respect to pumping the required blood volume.
  5. Hepatitis A. Many people do not know this but this condition is very contagious. It is a liver infection which is resultant from the action of the hepatitis A virus. The virus reduces the ability of the liver to perform optimally as a result of causing inflammation in the organ. A person can contact this infection through close contact with an infected person, contaminated water, or food. When it is mild, you may not require any medical treatment as the body will develop a defense mechanism to fight it off.

More on The Causes

  1. Hepatitis B. This is a serious infection which affects the liver. Hepatitis B virus is the major cause of this condition. When it is chronic it could lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. It has no cure but with a vaccine, it can be prevented. Also, proper management will help prevent spreading the virus to others you come in contact with.
  2. Hepatitis C. This is a very serious viral infection of the liver and it mostly transmitted by coming in contact with infected blood. Many years ago, the condition required weekly injections and orally ingested medications. However, many people couldn’t partake of these because of the side effects or a few other health issues. Today, through taking daily dosages of oral drugs, you can cure it within 2 to 6 months.
  3. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This term is a description of liver conditions that affect people who hardly consume any form of alcohol. This means excess fat stores in the lever. It begins with the inflammation and then escalates to scarring before and irreversible damage.
  4. This condition describes excess fat stored in the body. Many people term it a cosmetic disorder but when one considers the harmful effects on the health, it is a menace to human health that must be avoided. It could lead to several conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and elevated liver enzymes.

Some of the other causes of this condition include:

  1. Alcoholic hepatitis
  2. Autoimmune hepatitis
  3. Celiac disease
  4. Liver cancer
  5. Sepsis
  6. Toxic hepatitis
  7. Mononucleosis
  8. Wilson’s disease

Symptoms and Signs of Elevated Liver Enzymes

This condition really does not have any personalized symptoms or signs. The doctor may have to check based on the causative condition. For example, if a doctor notices the symptoms of hepatitis, The best step is to run a test to detect if it is there or not

Treating Elevated Liver Enzymes

The treatment is usually based on tackling the cause of the condition. So the doctor may prescribe several solutions like losing weight, stopping the consumption of alcohol, desisting from the use of certain drugs, and eating healthy. If the condition persists after this, then you may need to a specialist

ICD 10 Code For Elevated Liver Enzymes – roundup

With the above information on ICD 10 Code for elevated liver enzymes, you know what to do to stay away from the condition and how best to combat it when it arises. Remember that ICD 10 code for elevated liver enzymes is liable to an upgrade. Whenever there is an upgrade, be sure that we will be the first to let you know.

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