Diagnosis code D72.829, as defined within the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), is utilized to classify “Elevated white blood cell count, unspecified.” This code is part of a broader category within the ICD-10-CM system dedicated to diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs, and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism. Specifically, D72.829 falls under the subcategory of other specified disorders of white blood cells.
In simpler terms, diagnosis code D72.829 is employed when a patient presents with leukocytosis, a condition characterized by an increase in white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood, and when the specific type or cause of this elevation is not identified or specified in the diagnosis. Leukocytosis itself is not a disease but rather a sign that the body is responding to a range of conditions. These conditions can vary significantly, from normal physiological responses to infections or more serious underlying medical issues.
The ICD-10-CM code D72.829 is a billable and specific code, meaning it is recognized for reimbursement purposes by healthcare providers and insurance companies in the United States. It became effective on October 1, 2015, with the introduction of ICD-10-CM, and the 2025 edition of this code remains current and valid for diagnoses made on or after October 1, 2024. It’s important to note that while D72.829 is the American version, international adaptations of ICD-10 may have variations of this code.
Synonyms commonly associated with diagnosis code D72.829 include “Leukocytosis, unspecified” and “Elevated leukocytes, unspecified.” Clinically, leukocytosis, as captured by D72.829 when unspecified, indicates a transient or persistent increase in leukocytes within the body’s fluids. This elevation is a hematological finding that prompts further investigation to determine the underlying etiology.
Historically, diagnosis code D72.829 was introduced in the 2016 ICD-10-CM code set and has remained unchanged through the 2025 revisions, affirming its continued relevance in medical coding and diagnostics for unspecified elevated white blood cell counts. When utilizing ICD-10-CM, D72.829 is positioned within the diagnostic index and is adjacent to other related codes such as D72.828 for “Other elevated white blood cell count” and D72.89 for “Other specified disorders of white blood cells,” providing a structured classification for white blood cell disorders.
For healthcare professionals and medical coders, understanding diagnosis code D72.829 is crucial for accurate medical billing, record-keeping, and epidemiological tracking of conditions involving elevated white blood cell counts where the specific cause is not immediately determined. Further diagnostic procedures and clinical evaluation are necessary to ascertain the underlying cause of leukocytosis when D72.829 is initially assigned.
