I have been on 500mg/day for 3 weeks and have noticed no side effects at all. I am taking Biotin , 5000 mg/day to hopefully help with hair loss , and to strengthen skin and nail issues if they arise . I’m also on 1 aspirin/day . I had already started having mouth sores , a few severe headaches, and fatigue since this past summer , and now they are all gone. I have a lot more energy as before , I was too tired to even go out of the house . Also for dry skin, I found an amazing product , Dr .Teals bath and body Oil. I was like you ; very scared to take HU because I read on this blog so many people have had side effects , but our bodies are all different and this beats worrying about strokes . My Oncologist/Hematologist wants to lowers my platelets ( last blood draw 650) to 400. We are all here for you ! Stay strong .