My diagnostic HbA1c was 53 (the second one was 52) and medication was never mentioned at all. I was told to go away for 3 months, given some rubbish information about diet, and that was that. I had never heard of Metformin until I joined this forum.
I managed to get down to pre-diabetic levels by the time of my review 3 months later, so again no mention of medication.
If you restrict your carbs and lose some weight (if you need to), and perhaps increase your exercise (walking is fine) you should be able to return to normal levels. Have you got a blood glucose meter? If not I strongly urge you to buy one so you can check that your chosen foods are able to be processed efficiently by your body.
Good luck.