And iron deficiency can cause a range of health issuesand even directly impact your brain health.

Dietitians break it down.

Still, there are a few signals that you may be dealing with an iron deficiency.

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Keep these in mind.

You feel tired and weak

Fatigueis one of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency.

Less oxygen getting to tissues leads to fatigue, she says.

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registered dietitian, integrative nutrition coach, and author

There is a range, though, depending on how severe your iron deficiency is.

You may feel a little tired or really tired, Cording says.

You have shortness of breath

Again, there are several things that can cause shortness of breath.

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But having low oxygen levels from iron deficiency is one of them, Angelone says.

This leads to a faster breathing rate since the body is trying to get more oxygen, she says.

You will notice shallow, more rapid breathing.

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Its Amazing How Its All Connected.

Youre irritable

Having an iron deficiency can just make you feel… off, Cording says.

With that, you may be more likely to get annoyed easily.

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registered dietitian, integrative nutrition coach, and author

But, again, this can be a tough symptom to pin down.

If you have any of these symptoms, its always a good idea to get checked, Cording says.

Nutritional deficiencies are important to look at.

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If its a very mild deficiency, sometimes being moremindful of food sourcescan help, Cording says.

If your deficiency is more severe, your doctor may recommend you take a supplement, Cohen says.

Cording stresses the importance of getting checked out if you suspect you have an iron deficiency.

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Any time youre not feeling like yourself, its important to talk to your doctor, she says.

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