Achlorhydria

This code signifies the complete absence of hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions, even after stimulation. It indicates a severe impairment of the stomach's ability to produce acid, which is crucial for digestion and pathogen defense.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states a diagnosis of achlorhydria, often confirmed by gastric analysis showing a pH above 7.0 after maximal histamine or pentagastrin stimulation. It is frequently associated with pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis, or gastric carcinoma.

• Differentiate from hypochlorhydria (reduced gastric acid), which is not represented by this code.
• Always look for definitive diagnostic testing results (e.g., gastric pH studies) in the medical record.
• Consider sequencing this code as a secondary diagnosis when a primary condition, such as pernicious anemia, is the underlying cause.