I'm a diet controlled T2D (in remission for over 4yrs) but have never been given any 'targets', though neither have I ever taken any diabetes medication. Instead of just taking diet advice from my GP (more low fat, lots of fruit and veg), I initially opted for control using a Low Carb 'way of eating' which immediately showed it was working.
My GP has never commented on my HbA1C readings which (since remission) have, with one exception due to illness, been in the 5.6% (= 38) to 5.8% (=40) region i.e. what are considered to be normal levels - not even pre-diabetic in the UK. Though these would be considered pre-diabetic in the USA.