ICD-10 Code E60 – Dietary zinc deficiency (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E60 – Dietary zinc deficiency
What it is
E60 identifies zinc deficiency caused by inadequate dietary intake. Use it when the record documents a nutrition-related lack of zinc rather than a secondary disorder or unspecified malnutrition.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings may include poor growth, skin changes, hair loss, reduced appetite, or impaired wound healing.
When to use this code
Use E60 when the clinician documents dietary zinc deficiency, zinc depletion from poor intake, or a zinc-deficient diet. It may appear in nutrition assessments, inpatient problem lists, or outpatient follow-up notes. If the cause is not clearly dietary, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for zinc deficiency due to other causes such as absorption problems, medication effects, or inherited disorders. If the chart only says “low zinc” without cause, check documentation.
Coding tip
Assign E60 only when the record supports a dietary cause; otherwise, verify whether a different deficiency or unspecified code is appropriate.