While discussing dropping the AI from my protocol with my doctor, I informed him that I exercise often and rigorously. He said that exercise can increase the rate at which I metabolize testosterone, and that this possibly could require an increase of my dosage going forward.
My understanding is that T can be boosted by exercise (heavy compound lifts) or lowered (overtraining, inadequate rest.) However, I assume this relates to T produced by the body. But how does exercise affect exogenous T? Is it consumed by the biological processes involved in the exertion and building of muscles? Or does it amplify other processes and remain relatively untouched in serum levels besides whatever background metabolism breaks it down? Is it more like a fuel, or a force multiplier?
Additionally (and somewhat different from the original topic) I naively thought that the benefit of T to athletic performance was simply to increase the amount of muscle gain per unit of work. Almost immediately after starting TRT, however, I found that I had more energy, intensity and stamina during workouts, and that my recovery time decreased tremendously. That has me wondering if itās the increased work output that increases muscle gain, and not not the other way around. Or maybe itās both.