Yeah I have never heard of checking it anyother way but
up to full temp level ground

You never did mention wether you drove it sat.-mon. after the fluid ect. change

after I change any trans fluid filter ect.
I always start it let it run a little bit
check fluid level
pull it in all gears one by one
and let it roll about 10-20 feet in each gear
starting out in the lowest than up though
including reverse

to let the fluid flow though all the passages
for each gear

check level again (on level ground while at full temp )
then drive it and check it again

this is probally more than is required or more than most people do

but "good enough" isn't
GOOD ENOUGH for me

I am too particular or anally retentive as my friends say

your trans dipstick get tweeked could it be leaking there?
if all else fails just do the job again step by step it's not that hard