Apple CEO Jobs Finally Addresses Health, Cites Hormonal Imbalance

Responding to resurfacing rumors about his striking weight loss, Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs today issued a statement on the company’s Web site saying he’s suffering from a hormone imbalance that robs him of proteins.

 

Jobs, who has had pancreatic cancer, is compelled to address rumors about his health not only because he’s a high-profile figure in business and technology, but also because Apple’s stock drops with each whisper of his imminent death (as MobilityTechzone reported, Jobs tried to make light of the talk while unveiling new iPods at an event in September).

 

Today, Jobs said in his letter that he decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that everyone can"relax and enjoy" the Macworld show which starts this week.

 

“As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008,” Jobs said. “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. 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.”

 

The 52-year-old said he has started undergoing nutritional treatment and expects to be back at his normal weight in the spring.

 

Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003. According to reports, Jobs has been reluctant to publicly discuss his health, and recently denied claims that his cancer had returned. As TMC has reported, Bloomberg News in August mistakenly, and embarrassingly, published the fragments of an obituary for Jobs.

 

The chief’s announcement today was accompanied by a statement from Apple’s board of directors.

 

The board called Jobs talented and effective, and said, “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.”

 

According to CNBC, analysts say they expect the news to relieve a lot of concerns about the company’s stock, which has been lagging the broader market.

 

“Apple is very lucky to have Steve as its leader and CEO, and he deserves our complete and unwavering support during his recuperation,” the board said. “He most certainly has that from Apple and its board.”