Sure man , as any string gauge increase , the tension increase dragging the bridge upwards... And when you say the E is .046 instead of .042 you're usualy refering that all three lower strings are of higher gauge , which cause more tension fo sure.

Do you know that your tuning may affect this too ? If you used a heavy gauge like .010 or .011 , tuning you're guitar to D or C# with the bridge in right position , then you changed your mind and tuned to standard E , the bridge will pump out for sure... And vice versa.

But you say your E was always .046 , which still don't answer the question which is why the bridge jumped out ?
Was this the first time you change strings on this particular guitar , I mean are you deadsure of the strings' gauge before you re-strung it ?