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Real members of MyLeukemiaTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

what determines when you have to treatment?

A MyLeukemiaTeam Member asked a question 💭
January 19
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Reactions
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

Awesome Patty6. Great news

January 22
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

My white count is 77,000 as of yesterday. RBCs and platelets good. No other symptoms except occasional rib pain. They had doubled in 4 months at last check, but the growth slowed. A small win! I see the doctor next Weds.

January 22
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

Thank you for your answer! I’ve been told by an oncologist that when your white blood cells go up and your hemoglobin and platelets go down is when it’s time for treatment. I’m seeing others posting only about white blood cells being over 30,000 and they’re already doing treatment. I’m trying to keep my hemoglobin and platelets up at this point because my white blood cells are high.

January 20
MyLeukemiaTeam

What determines when you have to start treatment?

The decision to start treatment depends on several key factors that your doctor will evaluate:

Your symptoms and blood test results
- Whether you're experiencing symptoms from leukemia
- Blood cell counts showing progression (like rapidly rising white blood cells, low red Show Full Answer

What determines when you have to start treatment?

The decision to start treatment depends on several key factors that your doctor will evaluate:

Your symptoms and blood test results:
- Whether you're experiencing symptoms from leukemia
- Blood cell counts showing progression (like rapidly rising white blood cells, low red blood cells, or low platelets)
- For some types, if lymphocyte count doubles within six months

Your risk level:
- Genetic changes found in your cancer cells
- Which risk group you fall into (very low, low, intermediate, high, or very high)
- How likely your cancer is to progress based on test results

Your overall health:
- Your age and general health condition
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Whether certain treatments would be too risky for you

Type and stage of leukemia:
- Some types may not require immediate treatment and can be monitored through "watch and wait"
- Others may need treatment right away based on genetic markers

The decision to start treatment is a collaboration between you and your doctor. One MyLeukemiaTeam member shared being on watch and wait for nine years before treatment became necessary when white blood cells hit 190 and their spleen became enlarged.

January 19
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

I decided when to request medication. I did not want organ damage from bad white blood cells attacking healthy tissue. I hope others will take charge of their health and realize that we can make a choice of how our health is managed versus just waiting for problems to become too hard to manage.

January 19

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