AT Dipstick Reading Seems Odd

[BrierS]

In the process of changing my 300TD's auto trans fluid and filter, I wanted to add a can of Trans-X to run for the next couple hundred miles. Prior to today I have checked the trans fluid a couple of times in the 1K miles I have owned the car. Today, I had a shock. When I carefully examined the stick I noticed a normal range reading on one side but just hitting the stick on the other. I flipped the stick over and checked several times. Unless I miss my guess, this trans has been running low. Has anyone else noticed this with their auto trans and does anyone know why it reads this way?