Nelson Vergel
Founder, ExcelMale.com
Side Effect Resource Directory
Your Complete Guide to Managing TRT Side Effects
Your Complete Guide to Managing TRT Side Effects
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
Welcome to the Side Effect Management Resource Hub!
This thread consolidates our best educational content on managing TRT side effects into one easy-to-navigate guide. Before posting a new question, check if your topic is covered here.
How to use this guide:
• Scroll to find your topic of interest
• Click any link to open the detailed discussion thread
• Bookmark this page for quick reference
• Reply below with suggestions for additions
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUICK NAVIGATIONEssential Reading • Blood & Cardiovascular • Estrogen Management
HCG & Fertility • Hair & Skin • Water Retention •
Safety Topics───────────────────────────────────────────────────
ESSENTIAL READING (Start Here)
These are the foundational resources every TRT patient should read:
• Blood Test Targets for Men on TRT - Reference ranges and optimal targets
• TRT and Anabolic Steroid Side Effect Management Table - Comprehensive management guide
• Before You Post About Estradiol or Anastrozole - READ FIRST - Required reading for E2 questions
• Understanding TRT and Managing Side Effects - General overview
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
BLOOD & CARDIOVASCULAR
Hematocrit (Elevated Red Blood Cells)
The most common side effect requiring management on TRT
•
How to Lower High Hematocrit Caused by TRT - PRIMARY RESOURCE (147K views)• High Hematocrit: Effect on Blood Pressure & Altitude
• WARNING: Don't Believe Internet "Gurus" on Hematocrit
• Can Blood Pressure Medications Decrease Hematocrit?
• Elevated Hematocrit: TRT vs High-Altitude Comparison
• Is Rusfertide FDA Approved for Polycythemia?
•
Warning: Low Ferritin is Bad for Men on TRT - Iron deficiency from blood donationHeart Health & Cardiovascular Risk
• Does Testosterone Increase Heart Attack Chance?
• Testosterone and Your Heart: What TRAVERSE Really Found
• Heart Palpitations and AFIB in Older Men on T
• TRT and Atrial Fibrillation: U-Shaped Curve Hypothesis
• TRAVERSE Trial: Blood Cell Changes Explained
Blood Clots & Lipids
• Can Testosterone Induce Blood Clots? Dr. Glueck Interview
• Testosterone/Anastrozole Decreased my HDL - What to Do
• Did You Get High Blood Pressure on TRT?
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
ESTROGEN MANAGEMENT
Understanding Estradiol in Men
•
Role of Estradiol (Estrogen) in Men - COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE (108K views)• High Estradiol in Men on TRT: What to Do
• High Estradiol: How High is Too High?
• Estradiol: Groundbreaking Study Results
• Metabolic Benefits of Estradiol and Testosterone
Testosterone-to-Estradiol Ratio
• Is T to E2 Ratio Important in Men?
• Managing the T:E2 Ratio in Men on TRT
• How to Predict Estradiol and DHT at Different T Doses
Aromatase Inhibitors
•
Aromatase Inhibitors Decrease Male Sexual Desire───────────────────────────────────────────────────
HCG & FERTILITY PRESERVATION
HCG Protocols
•
HCG Use in Men: 200+ Questions & Answers - COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE• Best HCG Dose for Men on TRT: Key Studies
• Best hCG Dose with TRT: 17-OHP Lab Test
• Nelson Vergel's T + HCG Protocol
• Effect of TRT vs hCG/FSH on Upstream Hormones
HCG Access & Sourcing
• No Prescription HCG Options
• The FDA Ended Access to Compounded HCG
Male Fertility
• Gonadotropin (GnRH, FSH, HCG, HMG) Treatment for Infertility
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
HAIR & SKIN
Hair Loss
•
Managing Hair Loss: Comprehensive Review• Testosterone and Hair Loss: What You Need to Know
• Are Androgens the Cause of Hair Loss and Acne?
• The Hidden Benefits of DHT and How to Manage It
Acne & Skin Conditions
• How to Treat Acne Caused by TRT
• Testosterone Caused Folliculitis
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
WATER RETENTION & EDEMA
• Water Retention and Rapid Weight Gain Caused by T
• Water Retention: May Only Occur in Certain Men
• Natural Diuretics Guide for Water Retention
• Ankle Swelling After Starting Testosterone
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
OTHER SAFETY TOPICSProstate Health
• Does Testosterone Cause Prostate Cancer?
• Testosterone, BPH and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Organ Function
• Can TRT Affect Kidneys?
• High Doses of Testosterone Do Not Cause Liver Damage
Sleep
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea and TRT
Mood & Mental Health
• TRT Effect on 5-Alpha Reductase: Cause of Low Mood?
Sexual Function
• How to Improve Penile Sensitivity
• Gynecomastia: Causes, Types, and Treatments
General Safety
• What Are the Side Effects of High Testosterone?
• Smoking Cessation's Effects on Male Hormones
• U-Shaped Association Between Testosterone and Fractures
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
TOOLS & CALCULATORS
• TRT Hormone Predictor Widget - Available in the sidebar - Estimate E2, DHT, and Free T from total testosterone
• Blood Test Target Reference - Quick reference for optimal lab ranges
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?1. Search first - Use the forum search with your specific symptom or topic
2. Check related threads - Click the links above for discussions with similar issues
3. Post with details - Include your current protocol, lab values, and specific symptoms
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
Help Us Improve This Resource
Reply below with threads that should be added to this hub. We update this resource regularly to ensure it reflects the best information available.
Looking for something specific? Use the forum search function or ask in a new thread - our community is here to help!
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
This hub consolidates content from dozens of individual threads. All original threads remain accessible for detailed discussion.
Last Updated: January 2026 | Maintained by Nelson Vergel
Last Updated: January 2026 | Maintained by Nelson Vergel
Last edited:
