Baseline Shift vs. Temporary Fluctuation

Baseline shift is often mistaken for temporary fluctuation, but the two differ in persistence.

Temporary fluctuation comes and goes.
The body reliably returns to its prior neutral state.

Baseline shift holds.
Even on “good” days, the body does not fully return to its former baseline.

When change feels continuous rather than episodic, the issue is a shifted baseline rather than fluctuation.