Technology5.01.2009

Hormone problem for Apple CEO

Jobs, in a letter to the "Apple Community," noted that his decision not to give the keynote address at the Macworld exhibition opening in San Francisco on Tuesday had set off a "flurry of rumours about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed."

"I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow," Jobs said.

"As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008," he 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 number one 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 remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment," Jobs said. "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."

Jobs said he "will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO.

"I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first," he said. "So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this."

In a statement released simultaneously with Jobs’s letter, the Apple board of directors said "it is widely recognized both inside and outside of Apple that Steve Jobs is one of the most talented and effective CEOs in the world.

"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.

"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."

Steve Jobs health discussion

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