Nelson Vergel: A Life Dedicated to Health Advocacy and Education
Early Life and Education
Nelson Vergel was born on February 12, 1959, in Maracaibo, Venezuela. He studied chemical engineering at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, on a full scholarship, graduating in 1981. In 1987, Vergel pursued a Master's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing at the University of Houston.
Professional Career in Engineering
Early Career (1982-1993)
Vergel began his career in 1982 as a process engineer with the Venezuelan oil company Lagoven, where he worked for over three years. He was responsible for the design, start-up, and maintenance supervision of 14 secondary offshore oil recovery water injection plants in Lake Maracaibo.
His engineering career continued with positions at:
- Aqua Process, Houston (1985-1988) - Sales Engineer
- Quantum Chemicals, Houston (1988-1991) - Project Engineer, managing design, installation, start-up, and troubleshooting activities of a utility section of an ethylene plant
- Shell Oil Company (1990-1993) - Senior Environmental Project Engineer, managing multi-million dollar projects at six refineries, two chemical plants, and several service stations
At Shell, he was awarded the Environmental Excellence Award for preventing EPA fines at several refineries.
HIV Diagnosis and Life Transformation
Nelson was diagnosed with HIV in 1986/1987 at age 27, during an era when HIV was considered a death sentence. As he later reflected: "Arriving in the United States as a young immigrant from Venezuela in 1984, I bore not only aspirations for a brighter future but also the overwhelming fear of a virus that I heard about in the news as soon as I arrived. Months later, I was told I was one of those stricken by this terminal disease."
At the time of his diagnosis, he wasn't sure he'd make it to 30, let alone see 50.
Becoming a Health Advocate
Rather than succumbing to despair, Vergel's diagnosis propelled him into action. He became a certified HIV counselor and volunteered at Houston's main HIV clinic at night while maintaining his engineering career during the day. The virus ultimately caused him to experience HIV-associated wasting, but he successfully used anabolic steroids to bulk up. As he explains: "I not only felt better but also started to look like I didn't have HIV."
Pioneering Men's Health Education and Advocacy
Testosterone and Hormone Replacement Therapy Leadership
Nelson Vergel's personal experience with HIV-related wasting led him to discover the life-saving potential of testosterone replacement therapy in 1993. This discovery not only saved his own life but positioned him as a pioneering advocate for men's hormonal health education. His work in this area has been transformative:
Breaking Stigma and MisinformationVergel challenged the medical establishment's conservative approach to testosterone therapy, educating both patients and physicians about the benefits of hormone optimization for men experiencing low testosterone due to various causes - not just HIV-related conditions.
Evidence-Based AdvocacyUsing his chemical engineering background, Vergel approached hormone therapy with scientific rigor, translating complex medical research into practical, actionable information for men and their healthcare providers.
ExcelMale.com: The Premier Men's Health Community
Creating a Knowledge HubFounded in 2013, ExcelMale.com has become one of the most respected and largest testosterone forums globally, with over 55,000 members. The platform serves as a comprehensive resource where men can:
- Access evidence-based information about hormone replacement therapy
- Connect with other men experiencing similar health challenges
- Learn from healthcare professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, and dietitians
- Share experiences and treatment outcomes
- Stay updated on the latest research and treatment options
Professional IntegrationUnlike other online health forums, ExcelMale.com attracts a highly educated membership base including physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, exercise trainers, and other healthcare professionals, creating a unique environment where peer support meets professional expertise.
Comprehensive Men's Health FocusWhile testosterone is a primary focus, the platform addresses broader men's health issues including:
- Sexual health and erectile dysfunction
- Weight management and metabolism
- Exercise and fitness optimization
- Mental health and mood disorders
- Cardiovascular health
- Age-related health decline
Democratizing Healthcare Access
DiscountedLabs.com: Removing Financial BarriersRecognizing that regular monitoring is crucial for safe and effective hormone therapy, Vergel created DiscountedLabs.com to provide low-cost blood testing throughout most of the United States. This innovation:
- Eliminates the need for expensive doctor visits just to order routine lab work
- Provides direct-to-consumer access to comprehensive hormone panels
- Offers educational resources to help men understand their lab results
- Enables men to become active participants in monitoring their health
- Reduces the overall cost of hormone replacement therapy
Empowering Patient Self-AdvocacyThrough DiscountedLabs.com, Vergel has empowered thousands of men to take control of their health by providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to monitor their treatments effectively and work collaboratively with their healthcare providers.
Advocacy for Compounding Pharmacy Access and Economic Treatment Options
Clinic Optimizers: Advancing Compounded Therapeutics
As co-founder of Clinic Optimizers, Nelson has been a vocal advocate for improved access to compounded medications and economic treatment alternatives. This integrative medicine educational company provides crucial services:
Physician EducationClinic Optimizers provides reference-backed information to physicians about compounded formulations used in:
- Hormone replacement therapy (various delivery methods and concentrations)
- Weight loss treatments
- Sexual health medications
- Dermatological applications
- Specialized therapeutic combinations
Economic AccessibilityVergel has consistently advocated for compounding pharmacies as a means to:
- Provide more affordable alternatives to brand-name medications
- Offer customized dosing and delivery methods not available commercially
- Create specialized formulations for patients with unique needs or sensitivities
- Maintain treatment continuity when commercial products become unavailable
Fighting for Treatment Access
Regulatory AdvocacyThroughout his career, Vergel has worked with regulatory bodies to ensure that compounded medications remain accessible to patients who need specialized formulations. His advocacy efforts include:
- Providing expert testimony on the medical necessity of compounded hormone preparations
- Educating regulators about the role of compounding in personalized medicine
- Supporting legislation that protects patient access to compounded treatments
- Working with professional organizations to establish safety standards for compounded medications
Cost-Effective Treatment SolutionsVergel has been instrumental in promoting compounded testosterone preparations as cost-effective alternatives to expensive brand-name products, particularly important for:
- Patients without insurance coverage for hormone therapy
- Those requiring non-standard dosing regimens
- Men who experience adverse reactions to commercial formulations
- Long-term users seeking sustainable treatment options
Major Publications
Books
"Built to Survive" (1994)Co-authored with Michael Mooney, this comprehensive guide contains over 330 scientific references and covers the medical use of anabolic steroids, growth hormone, supplementation, optimal nutrition, and exercise to prevent and treat the loss of lean body mass in people with HIV. As Vergel notes: "We were able to reverse wasting in the early '90s. That brought us a few years to get to 1996, when the protease era came in."
"Testosterone: A Man's Guide"A groundbreaking resource for men experiencing low testosterone, this book represents one of the first comprehensive patient-focused guides to testosterone replacement therapy. Written by a chemical engineer and 33+ year HIV and cancer survivor who discovered in 1993 that testosterone could save him from wasting syndrome and death, the book bridges the gap between technical medical information and practical patient application.
"Beyond Testosterone: The Illustrated Guide"A comprehensive 427-page guide with full-color layout and extensive illustrations covering hormone therapy, representing the evolution of Vergel's expertise from survival-focused treatments to comprehensive men's health optimization.
Organizations Founded
Program for Wellness Restoration (PoWeR) - 1994
A non-profit organization to help HIV+ patients survive the disease. Since inception, it has offered over 600 educational programs and CME programs in collaboration with AIDS Service Organizations throughout the United States in English and Spanish.
Body Positive Wellness Clinic (Houston)
A clinic focused on wellness for HIV+ patients, serving as a model for comprehensive care that addresses both the medical and psychosocial aspects of living with HIV.
Advisory and Advocacy Work
Nelson has held numerous prestigious positions:
- Advocate member in the National Health Institute (NIH), pharmaceutical research committees, and FDA review panels
- Provided input in the drug development process to 12 companies through the Drug Development Committee of the AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC)
- Speaker for 14 pharmaceutical companies on hormones, side effect management, and healthy aging
- Provided community input and sales force training for HIV specialty products including Oxandrin, Androgel, Testim, Anadrol, Marinol, and Sculptra
Recognition and Awards
- Vision and Advocacy Award by the Body Positive Wellness Clinic (1997)
- Environmental Excellence Award by Shell Oil (1992)
- Nelson Vergel Day proclaimed by Houston Mayor Lee Brown on September 13, 2001, for his contributions to the Houston community
- Named one of the top 100 activists in the world by POZ Magazine
- Featured on the cover and main article in HIVPlus (September 2005) for his work to advance salvage therapy access
- Interviewed by CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and other major media outlets
Educational Impact
Nelson has provided extensive health-related education:
- Over 700 health-related lectures since 1987
- Over 600 educational programs and CME programs in collaboration with AIDS Service Organizations throughout the United States in English and Spanish
- Countless online educational resources through ExcelMale.com and other platforms
- Mentorship of healthcare providers in hormone replacement therapy best practices
Current Health Status and Challenges
As a long-term HIV survivor, Vergel continues to face significant challenges:
- Has developed multi-drug resistance (MDR), rendering his HIV essentially resistant to every commercially available HIV drug
- Experiences chronic fatigue as his primary ongoing health issue
- Is classified as an immunologic nonresponder (INR) - a person with limited or no recovery of T cells despite viral suppression
- Currently leads an activist coalition pushing for the development of immune-boosting therapies
Recent Perspectives on HIV Cure Research
In 2024, Vergel published "An HIV long-term survivor and activist's perspective on HIV cure-related research" in HIV Research & Clinical Practice, sharing: "My subsequent years were marked by a triple struggle: getting information to save my life during years before the Internet, caring for and burying my sick friends abandoned by their families, and keeping my HIV status hidden to avoid discrimination from employers."
Legacy and Impact in Men's Health
Nelson Vergel's transformation from a young HIV patient facing death to a leading health advocate demonstrates remarkable resilience. His specific contributions to men's health have:
Revolutionized Men's Hormone Health Education
- Transformed testosterone replacement therapy from a niche treatment to mainstream men's health care
- Created the largest and most respected online community for men's hormonal health
- Educated thousands of men about the importance of hormone optimization for overall wellness
Democratized Healthcare Access
- Made essential lab monitoring affordable and accessible through DiscountedLabs.com
- Advocated for compounding pharmacy access as a cost-effective treatment option
- Empowered men to become active participants in their healthcare decisions
Bridged Medical Research and Patient Care
- Translated complex medical research into practical, actionable information
- Created platforms where patients can share knowledge and support each other
- Fostered collaboration between patients and healthcare providers
Advanced Treatment Accessibility
- Championed compounded medications as viable alternatives to expensive brand-name treatments
- Educated healthcare providers about customized treatment options
- Fought regulatory battles to maintain patient access to specialized formulations
As he noted in POZ Magazine: "Long-term survivors have a lot of knowledge as a community. Somebody could tap into the power we have. We really are useful and still relevant."
Nelson Vergel's life exemplifies how personal adversity can be transformed into advocacy that benefits thousands, creating lasting change in healthcare accessibility, patient empowerment, and specifically advancing men's health education and treatment options through both traditional and compounded therapeutic approaches.
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