A1C of 55 is in the diabetic range but not crazy high. From what I have read, things like nerve damage as a byproduct of diabetes happen after years of uncontrolled diabetes. 55 which higher than non-diabetic range is probably not enough to have caused nerve damage. I would also not necessarily assume that ED is a result of your diabetes, if you are 55 it is likely that you probably have not been diabetic for very long. That testosterone thing sounds related and hopefully treatment for that improves your situation.
While a lot of T2s tend to be overweight at the time of the diagnosis, it is not particularly unheard of for fit and in shape people to be T2. The stat I believe read was 15-20% of T2s at diagnosis were normal or underweight. For example Patrick Peterson the Arizona Cardinals player who is in great shape was diagnosed with T2 a couple of years ago. Doctors will do additional tests esp in younger people to get more confidence on whether it is T1 or T2. If you have access to your test results, do you see a C-Peptide test on it? Often docs will do that to make sure you are not T1 (mine did). If not you should request that, your doctor should have done some additional tests to rule out T1 considering your age and BMI.
In the mean time don't stress too much, odds are you are probably not T1 as T1s have extremely high sugar levels without insulin treatment (although as someone mentioned earlier it could be honeymoon period). In the meantime, get yourself a glucose meter and some test strips. Even if you have to pay for it out of pocket while you get your insurance sorted out, it is worth the $50-$60 investment. There are some cheap ones available- ReliOn sold by Walmart is one of the cheapest ones if you are in the US and measure your sugar levels semi regularly and ensure they are not too out of wack.
The meter will also help you understand your questions regarding which foods don't sit well with you. Also you may be able to avoid taking Metformin or get off of it. My numbers upon diagnosis were similar to your 7.5-7.6% A1c which would translate to 59-60 in the units you are using, however within a couple of weeks of my diagnosis with diet changes (before my prescription for metformin went through my pharmacy) my meter showed my blood glucose in the normal range consistently and my doc suggested not to start the medication. Sounds like you are on the right path with your diet changes but again, get the meter and measure to see what does and doesn't work for you and how much different things are impacting you.
While a lot of T2s tend to be overweight at the time of the diagnosis, it is not particularly unheard of for fit and in shape people to be T2. The stat I believe read was 15-20% of T2s at diagnosis were normal or underweight. For example Patrick Peterson the Arizona Cardinals player who is in great shape was diagnosed with T2 a couple of years ago. Doctors will do additional tests esp in younger people to get more confidence on whether it is T1 or T2. If you have access to your test results, do you see a C-Peptide test on it? Often docs will do that to make sure you are not T1 (mine did). If not you should request that, your doctor should have done some additional tests to rule out T1 considering your age and BMI.
In the mean time don't stress too much, odds are you are probably not T1 as T1s have extremely high sugar levels without insulin treatment (although as someone mentioned earlier it could be honeymoon period). In the meantime, get yourself a glucose meter and some test strips. Even if you have to pay for it out of pocket while you get your insurance sorted out, it is worth the $50-$60 investment. There are some cheap ones available- ReliOn sold by Walmart is one of the cheapest ones if you are in the US and measure your sugar levels semi regularly and ensure they are not too out of wack.
The meter will also help you understand your questions regarding which foods don't sit well with you. Also you may be able to avoid taking Metformin or get off of it. My numbers upon diagnosis were similar to your 7.5-7.6% A1c which would translate to 59-60 in the units you are using, however within a couple of weeks of my diagnosis with diet changes (before my prescription for metformin went through my pharmacy) my meter showed my blood glucose in the normal range consistently and my doc suggested not to start the medication. Sounds like you are on the right path with your diet changes but again, get the meter and measure to see what does and doesn't work for you and how much different things are impacting you.
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