Steve Jobs Has a Hormone Imbalance
By Chris Maxcer
Apple CEO Steve Jobs didn’t come out and say it in so many words, exactly, but in a public letter posted on Apple’s web site today, he nearly admitted that his decision to skip this year’s Macworld conference keynote was due to a hormone imbalance.
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The imbalance, Jobs said, was the cause of Jobs’ weight loss this year.
“As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority,” Jobs noted.
“Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause — a hormone imbalance that has been ‘robbing’ me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis,” he explained.
After Apple announced on December 16, 2008 that CEO Steve Jobs wouldn’t keynote at this week’s Macworld conference, it sparked rumors that the move was due to his failing health. Jobs battled a rare pancreatic cancer in 2004 and has been dogged by health concerns since then — after all, Jobs is widely seen as the most influential tech sector CEO in the world.
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Jobs characterized the imbalance as a “nutritional problem” and noted that he has already begun treatment.
“But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery,” he said.
Lastly, Jobs said the topic wasn’t up for further discussion.
“So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this,” he noted.
Apple’s Board of Directors
In tandem with Job’s open letter, Apple also released a short statement of support from Apple’s Board of Directors.
“As we have said before, if there ever comes a day when Steve wants to retire or for other reasons cannot continue to fulfill his duties as Apple’s CEO, you will know it,” the statement noted.
“Apple is very lucky to have Steve as its leader and CEO, and he deserves our complete and unwavering support during his recuperation. He most certainly has that from Apple and its Board,” the Board added.
Filed Under: Apple Action • Featured
About the Author: Chris Maxcer is editor and publisher of 