Recovered, but.. Did my bones get smaller?

I was just wondering if something similar has happened to anyone: I know that undereating and amenorrhea and all that takes a huge toll on a girl's body, particularly her bones. I know that not getting your period=your body absorbing calcium less efficiently.. but are your bones actually, like, deteriorating when you're not menstruating? The reason I ask is because for some reason, I stopped menstruating for about 5 months, and although my period's back and I've put on a bit of weight, it seems that my bones are smaller. When I was at this weight before, and even higher weight, my collar bones would stick out like crazy, and my hands were really bony as well [it's seriously a genetic thing]. But now, even though I'm at the same weight as before, my collar bones aren't as noticeable, and my hands look.. normal. I'm not saying it's a bad thing in terms of my appearance, but could it be possible that I've actually experienced the early stages of osteoperosis? Just wondering, and any info much appreciated.

I didnt know your bones got smaller with osteoporosis just lost density, but it sounds like you've lost muscle , musle is smaller pound for pound  than fat,

Yes, you could experience osteoporosis from severe undereating, if not now, then later in your life.  The good news is that you can do something about it .

Please get a doctor's advice about getting onto a pro-active, bone-building diet and exercise plan asap!  It'll benefit you later in your life, even if you aren't experiencing severe bone loss now.   If you can manage to get a bone-density test, then that would be a good benchmark to know for later.

While you're young (and this applies to every young woman, not just recovering anorexics) you need extra calcium, vitamin D and magnesium -- maybe even a supplement. Weight-bearing exercise is crucial to build a stronger skeleton.  If you're a smoker - quit.  If you drink, keep it moderate. 

Here are a couple of articles I found for you:  

Anorexia and Bone Loss 

What people with Anorexia Nervosa Need to Know about Osteoporosis 

Good luck! 

yea thats hy they suggest teenage girls dont diet, because they suffer bone loss

Your bones would not be visibly smaller due to osteoporosis, just more porous.

If they seem smaller now, or less visible, it's probably because the surrounding tissue is fleshier. You are older, you have filled out. I was far bonier in my early teens than in my late teens, even at the same weight.

If you eat plenty of food from now on, maintain a healthy and adequate weight (BMI over 21, if you want the strongest bones), and WEIGHT TRAIN until you're about 25, you can grow your bone density enough to compensate. Your bone density is still building until then.

Taranimator hit it on the head.

I'm thinking that when you began eating healthier, your body started to fill out places which weren't filled out as much before by skin, muscle, or essential fatty tissue. I noticed similar things with myself. My body started distributing fat in different places than it did before...actually, in the places that I would rather have it. haha. But it wouldn't hurt to get checked out, just in case. Drink lots of milk! :)

Your bones are constantly changing.  Your body is forever laying down calcium to create bone and absorbing calcium to use in your body.  Most people don't realize it but for every muscle movement whether it be voluntary (think lifting your finger) or involuntary (think of your heart beating) the first thing that you need in the chain reaction that makes your muscle move is calcium!  So if you aren't getting the calcium you need in your diet you can lose bone mass because your body is taking calcium from your bones and it doesn't have more calcium to lay down.

That said, it isn't too late.  Start taking a calcium supplement with vitamin D and magnesium in it (no a multivitamin isn't enough calcium).  Make sure their are calcium rich foods in your diet. 

Bones change with muscle, and in terms, of bone mass if you don't use it you lose it.  If you use your muscles a lot, you'll get thicker bones to carry the weight and large muscle attachments (makes your bones slightly larger). If you hardly use your muscles (being sedentary) or you lose a lot of muscle mass, your bones get thinner with smaller attachments.  Your bones probably have shrunk a little, but with regaining muscle and exercise (and enough calcium), you can  them back to normal.