Find information on high triglycerides diagnosis, including ICD-10 codes E78.5 and E78.4, clinical documentation improvement tips for hypertriglyceridemia, lab test interpretations, and treatment guidelines. Learn about severe hypertriglyceridemia management, familial hyperlipidemia coding, and best practices for healthcare professionals documenting elevated triglyceride levels. Explore resources for accurate medical coding and complete clinical documentation of this lipid disorder.
Also known as
Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
Elevated levels of lipids in the blood, including triglycerides.
Pure hypercholesterolemia
Elevated cholesterol, often associated with high triglycerides.
Mixed hyperlipidemia
Elevated cholesterol and other lipids, including triglycerides.
Other hyperlipidemia
Includes less common lipid disorders that may involve high triglycerides.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Triglycerides level documented?
Yes
Level >= 500 mg/dL?
No
Insufficient documentation for coding hypertriglyceridemia.
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| High triglycerides |
| Hypertriglyceridemia |
| Mixed hyperlipidemia |
Coding high triglycerides without specifying the level (e.g., mild, moderate, severe) leads to inaccurate severity documentation and reimbursement.
Failing to code underlying conditions contributing to high triglycerides (e.g., diabetes, hypothyroidism) impacts risk adjustment and quality reporting.
Discrepancies between lab results and physician documentation regarding triglyceride levels create coding ambiguity and potential compliance issues.
Patient presents today for evaluation of hypertriglyceridemia. The patient reports no specific symptoms related to elevated triglycerides. Past medical history includes hypertension and obesity. Family history is significant for cardiovascular disease. Medications include lisinopril for hypertension. Review of systems is otherwise unremarkable. On physical examination, the patient is obese but appears well. Blood pressure is 13080 mmHg. Cardiac exam reveals regular rate and rhythm without murmurs. Abdomen is soft and non-tender. No peripheral edema is noted. Recent laboratory results reveal significantly elevated triglycerides at 750 mgdL, with HDL cholesterol of 40 mgdL and LDL cholesterol of 110 mgdL. Diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemia is confirmed based on these laboratory findings. Patient education was provided regarding lifestyle modifications including dietary changes focusing on reduced saturated fat and refined carbohydrate intake, increased omega-3 fatty acid consumption, and regular exercise. The risks of pancreatitis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome associated with high triglycerides were discussed. Pharmacological intervention with a fibrate medication was considered, but deferred for now in favor of aggressive lifestyle changes for the next three months. Patient will follow up for repeat lipid panel and evaluation of response to lifestyle interventions. The importance of adherence to the recommended lifestyle changes and potential need for medication management was emphasized. ICD-10 code E78.5 is assigned for pure hyperglyceridemia. This plan is consistent with current clinical guidelines for triglyceride management.