E71.43

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

A carnitine deficiency caused by medical treatment or procedures, such as certain medications or dialysis, rather than by a genetic or inherited condition.

Coding Tips

• •Document the specific cause (medication name, dialysis, etc.) in the medical record to support medical necessity
• •Consider coding the underlying condition being treated that led to the iatrogenic deficiency

Clinical Significance

Iatrogenic carnitine deficiency results from medical treatments that deplete carnitine stores, most commonly valproic acid therapy, chronic hemodialysis, or total parenteral nutrition without carnitine supplementation. This acquired deficiency can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, cardiomyopathy, and metabolic dysfunction if not recognized and treated. Carnitine supplementation and treatment modification can reverse the deficiency.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Document the specific causative medication or treatment (valproic acid, dialysis, total parenteral nutrition, pivalic acid-containing antibiotics), plasma carnitine levels, clinical symptoms, and carnitine supplementation plan.
• ✓Record the underlying condition being treated that necessitates the causative therapy.

Commonly Confused Codes