ICD-10 Code D72.81 – Decreased white blood cell count (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D72.81 – Decreased white blood cell count
What it is
D72.81 identifies a documented decrease in white blood cell count. Use it when the record states low white blood cells or leukopenia and no more specific cause is documented.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. A decreased white blood cell count may be noted on laboratory testing and can be associated with increased infection risk, but the code itself reflects the finding, not the cause.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents decreased white blood cell count, low WBCs, or leukopenia without naming a more specific disorder. It is appropriate for abnormal lab results that are clinically acknowledged in the chart. If a cause such as chemotherapy, infection, or marrow disease is documented, code the underlying condition as well.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for neutropenia, pancytopenia, or other specific blood disorders when those are documented instead. Check documentation if the low count is only a lab abnormality without provider assessment.
Coding tip
Code the documented finding only when the provider acknowledges it, and add the underlying diagnosis when the record supports one.