Steve Jobs Recovering From Hormone Imbalance, To Remain CEO

[WhySoSerious]

Letter From Apple CEO Steve Jobs
(PR Newswire 01/05 08:30:23)

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
SOURCE Apple

[MacRumors]

Apple has published a letter today from Apple CEO Steve Jobs that confirms speculation that Steve Jobs is missing Macworld due to health issues: specifically recovering from a hormone imbalance that has been causing unhealthy weight loss.

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

Apple's board of directors also distributed the following statement:

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.

Since Apple's announcement that Phil Shiller would be giving this year's keynote there has been intense speculation as to the reasons, both politically and health based.

Article Link: Steve Jobs Missing Macworld Due To Health

[canyonblue737]

Read between the lines here folks...

1. "As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors."

Jobs and Apple have been saying for a year that it was nothing significant. NOT knowing the cause of mass weight loss IS significant.

2. "A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority."

Obviously it has grown WORSE since you last saw Steve and finally a few weeks ago became important enough that he had to make fixing the problem his #1 priority. Again while I applaud his decision and assume that the doctor's new diagnosis will help cure the problem, this statement doesn't imply the simple, insignificant issues that Apple and Steve tried to portray for the last year.

A persons health care is a private issue, no doubt. However when the person runs a multi-billion dollar publicly traded company it is inappropriate and ILLEGAL to make false statements that could impact stock price, and that included implying a health issue isn't significant when it is now crystal clear it is.

[CBX]

Just seen this on bbc http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/default.stm wasnt sure where to post it...

[amac4me]

All the best in your recovery Steve

[xparaparafreakx]

There he said it. He not dying. Stop making forum topics about what happens to apple after Steve.

Good luck on your recovery.

[GeekLawyer]

That's an awfully dramatic spin to put on it.

Though, I suppose, technically correct.

From the original thread:

Originally Posted by GeekLawyer

Sounds like an over-active thyroid. I'm just glad to hear that there's a medical answer that's more nuanced than "OH NOES! TEH STEVE IS DYING!!!"

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Cave Man]

Good news for sure.

[mward333]

We're wishing Steve Jobs a full and quick recovery!

[Kilamite]

That's really decent he's come out and said that - especially since it is a very personal thing. But I guess when he's in such a huge position - CEO of Apple - that rumours of his health do damage the company as we saw with the rumour of his death and the effect that had on their shares briefly.

Here's to a speedy recovery Steve! *holds up a pint*

Read it from Apple's site here:

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/01/05sjletter.html

[Luap]

I hope its not a bit of spin to cover up something worse.. Apple is fooked without him.
Best wishes to Steve!

[wolfshades]

He didn't need to post anything person but chose to do so anyway. Good call - glad there was a diagnosis for him, and that there's a good prognosis for recovery.

[Agathon]

Perhaps people can leave him alone now. His health is his business, and he's made it abundantly clear that he wants his privacy respected.

Even CEOs and celebrities have a right to privacy.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Well I'm glad this will put rumors to rest!

Get well soon Steve!

[arkitect]

Originally Posted by Luap

I hope its not a bit of spin to cover up something worse..

Probably is.

Originally Posted by Luap

Apple is fooked without him.

Now, you know that is not true.

[Santa Rosa]

Best wishes and a speedy recovery.

[MBX]

"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."

Does anybody know what he means by "simple and straightforward"? What kind of treatment is it?

[UltraNEO*]

OK..
Let's all email him and tell him our troubles...
cause he seems to care about us.

[Kilamite]

Originally Posted by Agathon

Perhaps people can leave him alone now. His health is his business, and he's made it abundantly clear that he wants his privacy respected.

Even CEOs and celebrities have a right to privacy.

Yeah, but this is Steve we're talking about. The man who saved Apple.

You saw how much of a knock the shares took when a rumour about his death popped up. He needed to let the world know.

[jennyp]

we'll know he's ok when the MacBook Fat comes out

[iCantwait]

oh steve, i pine for you

[arkitect]

Originally Posted by MBX

Does anybody know what he means by "simple and straightforward"? What kind of treatment is it?

I thought it was common knowledge in the USA?
Eat more, excercise less?

[milani]

Steve, take a holiday and get healthy! You've earned it.

[GeekLawyer]

Originally Posted by MBX

"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."

Does anybody know what he means by "simple and straightforward"? What kind of treatment is it?

If it's a problem with T3 and/or T4 over-production, the doctors can suppress those hormones. There are other treatments, as well.

This, of course, is nothing more than my own speculation.

[BBC B 32k]

Peace and Happiness to SJ and his family. A little privacy and dignity is all that is required. Let's not speculate any more and give SJ all the time he requires.