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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesMetabolic disordersICD-10-CM e73-lactose-intolerance
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Lactose Intolerance: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group E73 includes diagnoses for lactose intolerance and lactose malabsorption, covering primary congenital or hereditary lactase deficiency as well as secondary lactase deficiency due to gastrointestinal disease or surgery. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios involving impaired lactose digestion with symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, capturing disease severity and contributing factors. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM E73 group supports proper claim adjudication by payers, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement for services related to diagnosis and management.

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    ICD-10-CM E73: Lactose Intolerance Overview

    The ICD-10-CM E73 group represents diagnoses related to lactose intolerance, a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism affecting digestion of lactose in the gastrointestinal system. These codes capture primary and secondary forms of lactose malabsorption and associated clinical manifestations such as bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Accurate coding matters for reimbursement because it documents medical necessity, supports claim adjudication, and reflects the clinical complexity of care.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a patient has documented lactose malabsorption or intolerance based on clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, or hydrogen breath testing indicating reduced lactase activity. Codes in this group are also appropriate when lactose intolerance is secondary to other gastrointestinal conditions or surgical procedures affecting the small intestine.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    4 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E73.0Congenital lactase deficiency
    E73.1Secondary lactase deficiency
    E73.8Other lactose intolerance
    E73.9Lactose intolerance, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    2 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    391Esophagitis, Gastroenteritis and Miscellaneous Digestive Disorders with MCC
    392Esophagitis, Gastroenteritis and Miscellaneous Digestive Disorders without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An infant around 6 months old presents to general pediatrics with recurrent watery diarrhea, abdominal distention, and failure to thrive after introduction of cow’s milk–based formula. The clinician documents inability to digest lactose after a hydrogen breath test or based on history of symptoms after lactose exposure, and assigns a diagnosis to indicate the primary disaccharidase deficiency causing feeding intolerance. Typical codes: E73.0
    • An adult patient comes to urgent care with acute onset of crampy abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and loose stools occurring within hours of consuming dairy at a restaurant. The symptoms are limited to postprandial episodes without systemic signs, and the provider assigns a diagnosis to capture lactose malabsorption causing the acute symptomatic episode. Typical codes: E73.1, E73.9
    • A patient with inflammatory bowel disease reports chronic secondary intolerance to lactose with persistent bloating and diarrhea despite otherwise controlled IBD; the clinician documents lactose intolerance as a comorbid condition that contributes to ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms and dietary modification. Typical codes: E73.8, E73.9

    Related Codes

    E70-DISORDERS-OF-AROMATIC-AMINO-ACID-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Aromatic Amino-Acid Metabolism: Group Overview

    E71-DISORDERS-OF-BRANCHED-CHAIN-AMINO-ACID-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Branched Chain Amino Acid Metabolism And Fatty Acid Metabolism: Group Overview

    E72-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-AMINO-ACID-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Amino-Acid Metabolism: Group Overview

    E74-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-CARBOHYDRATE-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Carbohydrate Metabolism: Group Overview

    E75-DISORDERS-OF-SPHINGOLIPID-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Sphingolipid Metabolism And Other Lipid Storage Disorders: Group Overview

    E76-DISORDERS-OF-GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Glycosaminoglycan Metabolism: Group Overview

    E77-DISORDERS-OF-GLYCOPROTEIN-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Glycoprotein Metabolism: Group Overview

    E78-DISORDERS-OF-LIPOPROTEIN-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Lipoprotein Metabolism And Other Lipidemias: Group Overview

    E79-DISORDERS-OF-PURINE-AND-PYRIMIDINE-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Purine And Pyrimidine Metabolism: Group Overview

    E80-DISORDERS-OF-PORPHYRIN-AND-BILIRUBIN-METABOLISM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Porphyrin And Bilirubin Metabolism: Group Overview

    Showing 1–10 of 16

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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