Q: My 2004 f150 4.6l 2v was overdue for oil change started ticking noise super low on oil. What could the ticking noise be?

2004 new body F-150 4.6l 2v was overdue for oil change. Missing oil drain plug gasket leaked a little. Never got around to it because of work and then my son was born.Usually very good with oil changes oil and filter every 3-5,000 miles I use mostly use synthetic and always use the correct weight. But got busy and continued to drive my truck to work for about a month and then I started to hear this ticking/knocking noise. it’s more of like a fast ticking noise when I’m idling and it sounds like it’s up by the valve covers I’m not sure. I checked the oil and it was extremely low I had to put 3 quarts in. I started it back up and it was still ticking so I parked it haven’t drove it since. After a week I started it and the ticking noise was gone and everything sounded normal. I still have it parked I don’t want to drive it until I do an oil change and can take a look at everything. What do you think it could be? when I do my oil change should I try any type of repair fluids?

My car has 105000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.