Dx (diagnosis)
Dx is shorthand for diagnosis. DDx, or D/Dx, is a differential diagnosis: the list of possible diagnoses being considered.
How to read it
MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine’s health site, lists DX as diagnosis, and so do the abbreviation lists of Charleston Area Medical Center, North Carolina’s EMS services and the Central California EMS Agency. Duke Health’s guide for patients reading their notes explains D/Dx as a differential diagnosis, “a list of possible diagnoses that your provider thinks might explain you symptoms”; California Correctional Health Care Services writes it DDx.
Also searched as: dx, dx meaning, dx medical abbreviation.
These pages explain what medical abbreviations and symbols stand for. They are not medical advice and give no doses: a pharmacist or prescriber can explain what any label means for you.
Dx and the other x abbreviations
Dx belongs to a family of short forms ending in x. Most lists agree on them, with a few exceptions: California Correctional Health Care Services lists Sx as “surgery or symptoms”, and Charleston Area Medical Center lists Tx as “transplant” and TX as “treatment”.
| Abbreviation | Stands for | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Dx | Diagnosis | MedlinePlus, Charleston Area Medical Center, North Carolina EMS, Central California EMS Agency |
| DDx, D/Dx | Differential diagnosis | California Correctional Health Care Services, Duke Health |
| Hx | History | North Carolina EMS, Central California EMS Agency, California Correctional Health Care Services |
| Rx | Prescription | MedlinePlus, Central California EMS Agency; “prescription, treatment” at Charleston Area Medical Center |
| Sx | Symptoms | Central California EMS Agency, North Carolina EMS; “surgery or symptoms” in California Correctional Health Care Services’ list |
| Tx | Treatment | North Carolina EMS, Central California EMS Agency, California Correctional Health Care Services |
| Fx | Fracture | Charleston Area Medical Center, North Carolina EMS |
More medical chart abbreviations
Browse symbols drawn with letters and numbers or squares and rectangles.
Sources
- Appendix B: Some Common Abbreviations, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, D; R; S
- Abbreviations Approved for Medical Records, Charleston Area Medical Center, D; F; H; R; T
- Approved Medical Abbreviations, Appendix G, revised 15 October 2023, North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians, via the North Carolina Office of EMS, D; F; H; S; T
- Approved Abbreviations, Clinical 2022, Health Care Department Operations Manual, California Correctional Health Care Services, D; H; S; T
- Common Medical Abbreviations you may encounter when reading your notes in MyChart, Duke Health (Duke MyChart), D
- Accepted Abbreviations List, CCEMSA policies and procedures, general, Central California EMS Agency (Fresno County Department of Public Health), D; H; R; S; T
Last reviewed September 30, 2026 by Rory Hansen. How we research