showed that (56) serum SCF secretion levels were lower in a susceptible population to autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) with negative TPO-Ab, i.e., the non-seroconverting (NSC) population than in healthy controls; however, when this population develops seroconverting (SC), serum SCF levels were significantly higher than in healthy controls. The gene discussed is KITLG; the disease is autoimmune thyroid disease.