ICD-10 Code E87.21 – Acute Metabolic Acidosis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E87.21 – Acute metabolic acidosis
What it is
Acute metabolic acidosis is a sudden acid-base imbalance in which the body has too much acid or too little base. Use this code for the acute condition documented by the provider.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Patients may have rapid breathing, confusion, weakness, or other signs of acute acid-base disturbance, but you should code only when the diagnosis is clearly stated.
When to use this code
Use E87.21 when the provider documents acute metabolic acidosis as the diagnosis, including cases tied to an acute illness or complication. It may also apply when the record clearly identifies a metabolic acidosis episode without another more specific code. If the cause is documented, code that cause as well when appropriate.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for respiratory acidosis, chronic metabolic acidosis, or an unspecified acid-base disorder. Check documentation if the record only mentions abnormal labs or “acidosis” without specifying the type.
Coding tip
Confirm the word “acute” and the metabolic type in the provider note before assigning E87.21.