It looks like I have diabetes, what do I need to know?

[HidingInTheLight]

It’s looking like I have type 2 (I assume) diabetes. I had the paramedics for unrelated reasons. They checked my blood sugar, it was high. So then I had a hba1c blood test which came up at 53.

I have no real diabetes symptoms (I have one on the list but it’s also a symptom of another condition I’ve got and isn’t new). My GP says my last bloods a few years were completely fine, check again in Jan. But if no change, I’ll be diagnosed. Try to reduce sugar.

What do I need to know, do? How much is realistic to reduce it in a month or so?

Perfectly possible to reduce it; maybe not to non diabetic level but probably into pre diabetic as HB1ac is an average over 3 months.
I was diagnosed type 2 in Jan last year and now at the bottom of pre diabetic levels. I am following moderately low carb (100g or less a day) and avoid snacking in between meals. Exercise also helps.

Oh it’s not just sugar - all carbohydrates (eg rice, bread, pasta. Potato, fruit) etc are broken down into sugars but at varying speeds. I bought a cheap blood glucose monitor and strips so I can test to see what impacts foods have so I know what to avoid...

Find yourself a helpful forum. Diabetes UK is still the main one as far as I know , but I got more help from Diabetes Support Forum UK - so much support that I no longer need to use it.

Because of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, your BP and cholesterol needs to be really well controlled too, lower targets than a non diabetic. Buy your own BP machine.

I think you need to start by going through your kitchen cupboards and giving away all carbs. Then buy only low GI food - that will probably involve buying more fat and protein than you have been accustomed to. You may need to rethink recipes and plan ahead when you go out.
Drinks, what do you drink?
If you list what you typically eat and drink in a day here, people will tell you yes/no and avoid alternatives. For example, you can buy ready, frozen packs of cauliflower rice, which once seasoned, taste amazing and more than make up for ditching normal rice. If you are out, a can't avoid bread, I believe seeded sourdough in small quantities is lower GI than most others, but you can check that on a GI Index.
Diet Doctor has good low carb recipes.
Don't neglect taking vitamin and mineral supplements, particularly vitamin D, K2, zinc and magnesium.

Alongside the changes to your diet, if you have excess weight, you could also read up on the latest research on how losing weight can lower blood sugar and potentially reverse diabetes. Intermittent fasting (16/8) might be of interest and benefit to you eventually, but only in agreement with your doctor. You would need to keep your doctor informed of any big changes to your lifestyle. Perhaps he/she will refer you to a dietician next?