mysterious Tranny Question-Please Help.

[ubtripn]

I went to check my tranny fluid on the 700R4 I have after the engine was warmed up and running and I cannot tell the level. The dipstick has xxxx marks and they definitely have fluid in them because I am able to wipe them dry but there is not fluid on the stick as prominent as there is with oil. I am very careful taking it out, keeping it from hitting the sides and keeping it level and when I do turn it vertical a drop comes off but I am not sure if I am reading it correctly???

There is so little of an amount on the gauge part of the stick. A little history, It is shifting great right now but when I installed it last year it would come out of first gear pretty hard, like it had a shift kit. It is shifting very smooth right now. It has a leak somewhere but not a lot comes out. I just started using it as a daily driver 2 weeks ago.

If these trannys are low on fluid do they shift smoother?

Am I reading the stick correctly?

Thx for the help.