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Google AI gets over-excited about health issues

6 replies

pelagra · 24/03/2026 15:21

I've been looking at my Ancestry DNA results for health issues with the aid of AI.
As expected, I have strong markers for cardio-vascular issues. Almost all of my family have died from these conditions, so it isn't news to me.
Once I added in the family history on the female side, and a couple of symptoms I have, Google pushed me ever harder to call my GP tomorrow and request blood tests, ECG and AAA screening.

It all seems a bit overblown to me. I've always assumed something along these lines would get me, and I think they are all better ways to die than any of the cancers.
I know AAA screening isn't done for women, so that's out anyway.

Would you ignore it all? The NHS is aware of my family history, and no-one seems very interested. I can't help thinking that the AI just gets more excited to keep me interested.
( I did find some interesting information about how my body manages fats and sugars, that seem to correlate with my experience, and suggests some ways I can improve my diet)

OP posts:
parietal · 24/03/2026 15:31

Don’t trust AI for anything related to health. It doesn’t know the answers, if just guesses at which topics go together. Ignore it.

smallglassbottle · 24/03/2026 15:43

Google AI doesn't understand that we have a dysfunctional health service.

pelagra · 24/03/2026 15:54

When I referred to the NHS being under pressure, it started quoting Red Flags I must raise and trigger words I should quote, and referred to clinical duties to investigate.
All very determined to create a crisis where there is none.

OP posts:
VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 24/03/2026 15:57

smallglassbottle · 24/03/2026 15:43

Google AI doesn't understand that we have a dysfunctional health service.

Google AI doesn't understand anything, neither do any of the other LLM AI models.

They're not thinking, they're not intelligent, they're just an incredibly complicated version of the predictive text you had on your Nokia 30 years ago.

They are built to string together a coherent sounding sentence. That's it. Accuracy is a byproduct, not the intention.

They have their uses, but noone should be taking advice from them, let alone medical advice.

Whyarepeople · 24/03/2026 16:03

What are the history and symptoms? There are some very obvious red flags that AI will throw up based on a patient history - it's up to you if you want to ignore or it or think it's over interpreting.

I have quite severe anaemia but when I put my symptoms into AI it all but shrugs and says 'meh, normal for a woman your age,' which reflects the literature.

pelagra · 24/03/2026 17:16

History Mother and Grandmother had Pulmonary Hypertension and AF, (Gran dies suddenly aged 64) other Grandmother died of Coronary occlussion, atheroma. Almost all males had multiple MIs, ultimately fatal, Father had AAA surgically repaired and Gross Left Ventricular Hypertrophy .
So no surprise that genetically I have double markers for almost every risk factor.

I have a bit of breathlessness when lying flat, swollen legs and feet in hot weather, really bad varicose veins and (self diagnosed) staining from venous insufficiency. Healthy BP, occasional oddly low heart rate that has been investigated and deemed unimportant.
I might look into private screening for AAA, just for reassurance.

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