E73.1

What This Code Means

This condition occurs when the body loses its ability to produce lactase (an enzyme needed to digest milk sugar) due to another disease or condition, such as gastroenteritis or celiac disease. It's different from primary lactase deficiency, which is a natural decrease in lactase production that happens with age.

Coding Tips

• •Always investigate and code the underlying cause of the lactase deficiency (such as gastroenteritis, celiac disease, or Crohn's disease) as the primary condition, with E73.1 as a secondary diagnosis
• •Distinguish between E73.0 (congenital lactase deficiency), E73.1 (secondary lactase deficiency), and E73.9 (unspecified lactase deficiency) based on the documented etiology and onset