Functional Medical Institute

Functional Medical Institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma operates under the clinical direction of naturopathic physician Mark Sherwood, ND, and osteopathic physician Michele L. Neil-Sherwood, DO, both holding Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioner credentials. The clinic delivers functional medicine consultations exclusively via telehealth to patients across Oklahoma, emphasizing root-cause investigation through comprehensive laboratory panels that assess metabolic function, hormone status, nutrient deficiencies, and inflammatory markers. Rather than symptom suppression, the Sherwoods design individualized protocols that address underlying biochemical imbalances contributing to chronic conditions such as insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal fatigue, and autoimmune reactivity.

Weight management programs at Functional Medical Institute integrate detailed blood work analysis with targeted nutritional interventions, examining fasting insulin, hemoglobin A1c, lipid particle size, and thyroid panel results to identify metabolic obstacles. The clinic prescribes pharmaceutical-grade supplements selected based on laboratory findings—addressing deficiencies in vitamin D, methylated B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals that influence metabolic rate and satiety signaling. Hormone balancing protocols for both men and women utilize bioidentical hormone replacement when indicated by serum or salivary testing, with Dr. Neil-Sherwood adjusting estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA dosing based on symptom response and follow-up labs. Peptide therapies may include GLP-1 agonists for appetite regulation and metabolic support, BPC-157 for gut lining repair in patients with intestinal permeability, and thymosin alpha-1 for immune modulation in chronic viral or autoimmune presentations.

Dr. Mark Sherwood and Dr. Michele Neil-Sherwood conduct initial consultations that typically span sixty to ninety minutes, reviewing prior medical records, current medication lists, and symptom timelines before ordering baseline laboratory panels through national reference labs accessible to Oklahoma residents. The osteopathic training of Dr. Neil-Sherwood informs a whole-person perspective that considers musculoskeletal alignment, autonomic nervous system balance, and psychosocial stressors alongside biochemical data. Nutritional counseling extends beyond macronutrient ratios to include food sensitivity elimination protocols, gut microbiome restoration with specific probiotic strains, and anti-inflammatory dietary templates such as autoimmune paleo or low-FODMAP approaches tailored to individual digestive pathology and autoimmune markers.

Patients engaging with Functional Medical Institute receive detailed email summaries following each telehealth visit, outlining supplement regimens with specific product names, dosages, and timing instructions, alongside dietary modifications and lifestyle recommendations such as sleep hygiene targets and stress mitigation techniques. Follow-up appointments scheduled at four- to twelve-week intervals allow the Sherwoods to review repeat lab work, assess symptom improvement, and adjust protocols—whether modifying thyroid medication dosing, rotating antimicrobial herbs for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or titrating bioidentical hormones based on patient-reported energy, mood, and metabolic changes. The clinic provides access to an online patient portal where lab results, visit notes, and supplement orders are archived, enabling continuity of care for individuals managing multiple chronic conditions over months or years.

Functional Medical Institute's telehealth model eliminates geographic barriers for Oklahoma residents seeking functional medicine expertise, with video consultations conducted via HIPAA-compliant platforms that accommodate patients in rural areas of the state where access to IFM-certified practitioners is limited. The Sherwoods emphasize patient education, equipping individuals with an understanding of their lab values—explaining the clinical significance of elevated homocysteine, reverse T3 dominance, or low morning cortisol—so patients become informed participants in their healing process rather than passive recipients of prescriptions. This educational approach, combined with the clinic's focus on measurable biomarkers and individualized supplement protocols, positions Functional Medical Institute as a resource for Tulsa-area patients seeking data-driven alternatives to conventional symptom management for metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory conditions.