• Consistently low levels of fibrinogen may be indicative of an inherited disorder, such as congenital afibrinogenemia, congenital dysfibrinogenemia or congenital hypofibrinogenemia. In these disorders, there is a deficiency of the clotting factor.
• Acquired conditions such as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) may cause low levels of fibrinogen.
• Severe liver disease may also be a cause of low levels of fibrinogen.
• Abnormal fibrinolysis occurs due to coagulopathies when the body is actively breaking down clotting factors.
• Low levels of fibrinogen may also occur after massive blood transfusions.
• Some drugs induce a low level of fibrinogen in the blood. This might not be a major cause for concern.

Decreased fibrinogen levels associated with Afibrinogenemia, Hypofibrinogenemia, End-stage liver disease and severe malnutrition are categorised under chronic conditions.

Decreased fibrinogen levels associated with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), fibrinolysis, and large-volume blood transfusions are categorised under acute conditions.