ICD-10 Code E78.70 – Disorder of bile acid and cholesterol metabolism, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E78.70 – Disorder of bile acid and cholesterol metabolism, unspecified
What it is
E78.70 identifies an unspecified disorder affecting bile acid and cholesterol metabolism. Use it when the record confirms a metabolic abnormality in this pathway but does not name a more specific diagnosis.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. You may see abnormal lipid handling, bile-related metabolic findings, or a noted disorder of cholesterol or bile acid processing without further detail.
When to use this code
Use this code when the clinician documents a bile acid or cholesterol metabolism disorder and does not specify the exact type. It is appropriate for incomplete descriptions, such as “bile acid metabolism disorder” or “cholesterol metabolism disorder,” when no more specific code is supported. Check documentation if the condition is better described elsewhere.
Do not use for
Do not use E78.70 when the record identifies a specific lipid disorder, such as hypercholesterolemia or another named dyslipidemia. Also avoid it if the documentation only mentions abnormal labs without a diagnosed metabolic disorder.
Coding tip
Query for specificity when the diagnosis is vague, because a more exact lipid or metabolic code may be available.