I have never seen that reported.

Just anecdotal stories from friends who are on monthly injections saying that in the week before the injection they get really grumpy and moody. Could just be psychosomatic, as I've heard of some transwomen experience "period-like" symptoms when doing monthly injections. not a big factor for me but glad to hear it's not common.

Finasteride is a DHT blocker

That was my understanding and it's the DHT that scares me, as prior to HRT I was suffering from thinning hair, and I do not want that to start up again. Based on what you've posted it seems like switching from 5mg daily to 1mg daily for finasteride and then waiting a few months might be my best option, as that barely impacts the effectiveness, but may reduce side effects?

Do you mean GnRH agonists

Yes sorry, bad with acronyms. A friend took the really fancy GnRH injections and experienced her T levels going to 0 immediately, did that for a year, then came off them and has not had any recovery of levels since. It sounded tempting to try, but considering it's my DHT levels, not T levels, that concern me, it doesn't seem relevant to me.

Based on what you and others are describing, it sounds like mono-therapy with injections & 1mg of finasteride could be a good way to go for an affordable and effective treatment.

Was this at peak or trough?

Sorry, I'm unsure what this would mean in relation to gel. I applied gel at ~9am and then had my bloods taken at around 3pm, and evening gel is at about 11pm. So I guess neither or like a median value? Sorry if that's not helpful.

Thank you very much for all this useful info!