Secondary sideroblastic anemia due to drugs and toxins

This code signifies a type of anemia characterized by the presence of ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow, which is acquired as a direct consequence of exposure to specific medications or toxic substances. It indicates impaired heme synthesis leading to iron accumulation within mitochondria of erythroid precursors.

Assign this code when documentation clearly links sideroblastic anemia to a prescribed drug (e.g., isoniazid, chloramphenicol) or an environmental toxin (e.g., lead, alcohol). The medical record must specify the drug or toxin responsible for inducing the anemia.

• Always code the specific drug or toxin responsible as an external cause code (T36-T65) in addition to this diagnosis.
• Do not use for congenital or primary sideroblastic anemias; those have distinct codes.
• Ensure documentation specifies "secondary" and identifies the causative agent to support this code.