R78.79 Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in blood

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applies from R78 Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood

Excludes2 (not included here)

• mental or behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19)

Use additional code

• code to identify the any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 947-948 in MDC 23.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 790.6 Other abnormal blood chemistry (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to R78.79

Back-references to R78

• Use Additional: Z02.83 Encounter for blood-alcohol and blood-drug test ("code for findings of alcohol or drugs in blood (R78.-)")

Diagnosis Index entries for R78.79

• Findings, abnormal, inconclusive, without diagnosis › in blood (of substance not normally found in blood) › heavy metals (abnormal level)

Nearby codes

• R78.4 Finding of other drugs of addictive potential in blood
• R78.5 Finding of other psychotropic drug in blood
• R78.6 Finding of steroid agent in blood
• R78.7 Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in blood
• R78.71 Abnormal lead level in blood
• R78.79 Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in blood (this code)
• R78.8 Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood
• R78.81 Bacteremia
• R78.89 Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood
• R78.9 Finding of unspecified substance, not normally found in blood