Other vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

This code signifies a type of anemia resulting from insufficient vitamin B12, but not specifically pernicious anemia. It indicates a deficiency in B12 leading to megaloblastic red blood cell formation and associated symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and neurological issues.

Use this code when documentation specifies vitamin B12 deficiency anemia without a definitive diagnosis of pernicious anemia (e.g., negative intrinsic factor antibodies). This applies to cases where the B12 deficiency is due to dietary insufficiency, malabsorption from non-autoimmune causes, or certain medications.

• Differentiate carefully from pernicious anemia (281.0); documentation must explicitly rule out or not mention intrinsic factor deficiency.
• Look for specific causes of B12 deficiency in the documentation to potentially code an underlying condition first, if applicable.
• Avoid using this code if the anemia is due to folate deficiency, which is a distinct condition.