Hemochromatosis due to repeated red blood cell transfusions

This diagnosis code signifies secondary hemochromatosis, a condition characterized by iron overload in the body's tissues and organs, specifically caused by the accumulation of iron from multiple red blood cell transfusions. This iron deposition can lead to organ damage, particularly in the liver, heart, and endocrine glands.

Apply this code when a patient develops iron overload as a direct consequence of receiving numerous red blood cell transfusions, often seen in conditions requiring chronic transfusion therapy like thalassemia or myelodysplastic syndromes. Documentation should clearly state a history of repeated transfusions and evidence of iron overload, such as elevated ferritin levels, increased transferrin saturation, or biopsy-proven iron deposition.

• Always sequence this code after the underlying condition necessitating the repeated transfusions (e.g., thalassemia, myelodysplastic syndrome).
• Differentiate from primary (hereditary) hemochromatosis (E83.110) which is genetic in origin.
• Ensure documentation specifies "repeated" or "chronic" transfusions as the etiology of the iron overload.