[polymorphis]

Pansy > Low thyroid function is really quite widespread. I don't have exact epidemiological data, but many people, especially women, have some degree of thyroid dysfunction. It tends to get worse with age. There are many factors that could have influenced your results, PM being just one of them. I have anecdotal information from endocrinologist that even stress can cause lower levels of thyroxine, not only elevation of TSH. So if I were you, I would completely not discard the possibilities that your result was just random fluctuation, but on the other side it could have been the first sign that you can develop hypothyroidism later on using PM or not. Maybe having a blood sampling in one year while off of PM is not a bad idea...

AbiDrew > Interesting information about the nature of contraindications! Well, I like my calmer and gentler version while taking PM more than rather grumpy and ironic me while not taking phytoestrogens. Maybe I should think about it ...

Pansy / JulieTG > I've also observed that stress causes my desire to be more feminine to increase. I've always thought that those feelings are kind of escape or venting too much pressure. I don't think that causal relations are as easy as more stress -> higher testosterone -> more feminine feelings. Higher testosterone and increased feminine desire could be just two results of one confounding factor ... or not. There are many neurotransmitter systems in play which are affected by hormone levels and hormone levels are affected by those neurotransmitter systems... Psychological factors should not been also completely neglected...

Aaah, the beautiful confusing complexity of higher brain function regulation!