Steve Jobs: Weight Loss a Result of Hormone Imbalance

Steve Jobs is finally addressing the long-running rumors surrounding his weight loss and the state of his health. Jobs says he has learned a hormone imbalance has caused him to lose weight in recent months, leading to his altered appearance.

Steve Jobs’ Weight Loss and Health

Steve Jobs’ weight loss had been noticed by many media outlets and has generated countless speculative reports over the past couple of years. Some wondered whether the weight loss was related to his previous bout with pancreatic cancer, with some sites going as far as to question whether he had cancer again. Jobs’ recent decision to back out of his typical MacWorld keynote address only fueled the fire.

Steve Jobs’ Weight Loss Explanation

The following is Steve Jobs’ full explanation of his weight loss and health, as written in an open letter to the Apple community this week. Apple’s Board of Directors followed up with a short note stating its support for Jobs’ continuation as the company’s CEO during his treatment.

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.

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