Steve Jobs discloses 'hormone imbalance'

The health of Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been a topic of concern for some months now. On Monday, with the company's Macworld show getting under way, Apple and Jobs issued statements on Jobs' health. We'll be following this breaking story throughout the day.

In October, Steve Jobs briefly addressed his state of health onstage at an Apple event.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET News)

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- 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.

Here is a separate letter from Steve Jobs:

Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I'm getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors 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.

"I will continue as Apple's CEO during my recovery."

--Steve Jobs

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.

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. 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.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I 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.

So now I've said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Steve

See also:
• On eve of Macworld, Jobs talks health
• Now Apple's credibility really is in the balance
• Apple's last Macworld beginning of new era

Click here for more Macworld Expo coverage from CNET News.

[NaplesSmartGirl]

That was generous of him to disclose his health issue. I hope the media will leave him alone now.

[Dani210]

i know, so generous and giving :) haha jk, ya gotta love steve

[gopnick]

He's trying to keep the Apple stock price afloat. It'll tank if they think Steve is leaving Apple. I hope this is the end of it, as an Apple shareholder and as a human being (I hope SJ is okay!).

[sanenazok]

So it's what I thought...he bailed out of Macworld since he looked too eviscerated and instead spent the time to relax with family. Good for him. He's definitely on on his way out. There's no such disease as a "hormone imbalance" - instead, hormonal imbalance is a symptom. There must be an underlying cause and it's probably not good since he didn't say what it was. Maybe he doesn't know yet, but I expect we'll know as much about his health as a pope.

[Dani210]

actually, weight loss is the symptom, hormonal imbalance is the cause of that symptom, but theres not that much that cause hormonal imbalance, its almost certainly related to the thyroid, more so than the pancreas or liver or tumors or toxins etc. as said below

[AppleSuxLeo]

Hormone imbalance my a** Nothing is as simple as that. The Apple PR machine is falling apart.

[ps_martin]

Thank you, Dr. "AppleSuxLeo", for your insightful medical opinion.

[Perry_Clease]

Grow up Leo

[rapier1]

Leo may be a tool but he's right. I don't think its as simple as a 'hormone imbalance' especially considering that *any* number of things could be at the root of a hormone imbalance from tumors, to cell damage, to toxins. As for the Apple PR machine falling apart... maybe not falling apart but they haven't handled thing well in the past few weeks.

[robvme]

My guess is that the "hormones" he is talking about are related to the liver and/or pancreas. If either are damaged or impaired the only options Steve will have is drug therapy with the hope that these organs do not continue to lose function. I hope he gets well.

[sting7k]

Can we all calm down now about this? Go out for a nice steak Steve and get some meat on those bones. Quit with the "all natural" stuff and eat some real food.

[chrisszy08]

I thought an apple a day kept the doctor away

[Dani210]

nice!!

[Mr. Dee]

Its all that vegetable only diet. Eat a few cheese burgers for once in your life Steve.

[medezark]

My sincerest wishes to Steve Jobs for a quick and full recovery. Although I disagree with many of the decisions Apple has made regarding it's product lines and advertising, I respect the great acheivements Steve has made in returning Apple to profitability and growth, and for making Apple a solid competitor in the marketplace. Get well soon Steve.

[littleM]

Perhaps, his body is feeling the long-term side-effects of his "reality distortion zone." Steve should patent his weight loss problem and sell it to Weight Watchers. His cure is probably to "eat like a pig."

Of course, most people that I have known with a weight loss problem soon after died of cancer. I hope this is not the case.

[dragonbite]

Sometimes a "close call" like this can wake up important people and he'll start grooming his replacement since he's already created big shoes to fit into (better yet, groom 3 people, each on a different aspect of what he did).

[savvydude]

Cancer is scary and makes people grab at anything to keep it at bay. The vegan diet Steve and his family adopted to diminish cancer growth might be working, but like anything else it has side effects. Thus, the obvious weight loss. With a team of physicians addressing the issue, Steve is on the right path.

This summer I, for one, will be delighted to see Mr. Jobs once again take the stage to announce a new Apple product. He will be stronger, more fit and as healthy as possible. The ghoulish bemoaning and whining by those more interested in the 'bottom line' is more than pathetic.

[Slow4Show]

I wish Steve well, either way. B Blessed.

[Rod Banner]

Apple can be annoying (why did they rev the MacBook Air just after I bought one?) but there is no other technology company that is one tenth as exciting. My hormones go upside down at every MacWorld when Steve unveils the next thing that I will need to own. I've bought more delicious Apple things than I ever should and I've been a Mac user since the beige tower.
I'm not gay but I love Steve. I love him for his steely determination, his vision, his passion to build something close to perfect and I would like him to live forever. Get well mate and thanks.

[latvproducer]

Steve,
You have wonderful products, and you have changed the world in the way we think and use technology.
Get well...and you should not have to explain your health. We only care that you get better. You are an inspiration to all of us. I hope that most people know your story. It is one that hopefully will used in History classes, about what it takes to make it in America. Get well...and thanks for all that you have done!

[make_or_break]

Hormone imbalance? Nothing that a few (or a bunch of) testosterone injections won't cure, perhaps? Heckuvalot better than cancer reoccurring, that's fer dang sure.