There have long been rumours swirling around the blogosphere that Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs is seriously ill, particularly since he has already survived pancreatic cancer.
His apparent loss of weight over the course of the last year or so has intensified that speculation, but it was raised another notch in December when Apple said that Jobs would not be making his annual keynote address this week in San Francisco at the Macworld jamboree.
But today Jobs went public with what is actually ailing him: he says doctors have discovered a hormonal imbalance that has been causing his weight loss. Jobs said he will undergo a “relatively simple” treatment and will remain as head of Apple until he recovers.
“A hormone imbalance … has been ‘robbing’ me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy,” Jobs said in a public letter, adding, “Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.”
Apple’s Steve Jobs says his hormone imbalance can be treated “relatively simply”.
Click continue reading below for the symptoms associated with hormone imbalance, and what Apple’s board said about Jobs’ illness in a separate statement today.In his statement today, Jobs said, “The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment.”
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He added, “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.”
According to this nutritional website, the remedy for a hormonal imbalance could include getting, “A good all-round diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and a balanced intake of all of the different food groups. Avoid chocolate and drink plenty of water.”
Hormone imbalance can affect both men and women. While women on average become menopausal at the age of 51 in the US, men and women can suffer the symptoms of hormone imbalance from their forties and on. Amongst men, symptoms of hormone imbalance can include reduced muscle and bone mass, weight gain and breast enlargement, sexual dysfunction and more.
Meanwhile Apple’s board issued a statement separately today, saying, “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.”
Despite Jobs’ statement today, it’s unlikely that the speculation and rumours surrounding his health will subside on the hundreds of Apple-obsessed fansites and blogs.
