The primary ICD-10-CM code for elevated liver enzymes is R74.01 (Elevation of levels of liver transaminase levels), a billable code reported when transaminase levels are elevated without a definitive underlying diagnosis established.
Primary codes
Billable
Billable
Extension
—
7th character
—
POA exempt
No
Inclusion terms
- Elevation of levels of alanine transaminase (ALT)
- Elevation of levels of aspartate transaminase (AST)
Coding risks
- Coding based on lab values alone without provider interpretation
Hierarchy
Code comparison
Compare key differences between related codes to select the most specific option.
| Code | Description | Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| R74.01 | Elevation of levels of liver transaminase levels | Lab results show elevated AST or ALT, without an established liver disease diagnosis. |
| R74.02 | Elevation of levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase [LDH] | Isolated LDH elevation noted on labs, without transaminase abnormalities or other enzyme findings. |
| R74.8 | Abnormal levels of other serum enzymes | Abnormal serum enzyme levels documented, other than transaminases or LDH specifically. |
Select the most specific code supported by the encounter documentation. More specific codes improve reimbursement accuracy and reduce audit risk.
Code ranges
Abnormal serum enzyme levels
Codes capturing nonspecific abnormal serum enzyme findings without an established underlying diagnosis explaining the laboratory result.
Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
Range for abnormal blood test results when no definitive underlying disease has yet been documented by the provider.
Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry
Captures miscellaneous abnormal blood chemistry results not classified to more specific enzyme, lipid, or glucose categories.
Diseases of liver
Range covering established hepatic conditions including alcoholic, toxic, viral-related, and other specified or unspecified liver diseases.
Viral hepatitis
Codes for acute and chronic viral hepatitis infections classified by causative organism and clinical presentation.
Coding risks
Avoid these common coding issues when reporting Elevated Liver Enzymes.
Impact
Assigning R74.01 when the chart implies hepatitis or fatty liver may miscode a definitive diagnosis as a finding.
Mitigation
Consider querying the provider when an underlying cause is suggested rather than coding the abnormal lab alone.
Related codes
Ancillary and co-coding
Codes commonly reported with the primary diagnosis on the same claim.
Z-code variants
Family history, personal history, or screening encounter codes related to this condition.
In pregnancy
Pregnancy-specific O-code adaptations used in place of the primary when the condition occurs during or complicates pregnancy.
Differential codes
Alternative or commonly confused codes to consider when documentation suggests a different condition than the primary diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Use R74.01 only when transaminases are elevated without a confirmed underlying diagnosis. If NASH or fatty liver is documented, code the disease instead.
References
Compiled from the following authoritative coding references. Last updated 2026-05-15.