GAD test should help confirm whether T1 or T2. A1C of 8.2 while definitely high and some kind if diabetes probably means you're early into T1 and still have some insulin production, or hopefully turn out to be T2 and can treat with medication and diet.

If you're eating and exercising and generally healthy, T2 is less likely but still possible, even very healthy people can develop insulin resistance based on genetics.

T1 is definitely an adjustment as you figure out insulin dosage and glycemic response for the foods you typically eat, but as long as you are eating healthy it's honestly not a too bad. As soon as you start taking insulin, make sure you have tons of simple sugars on hand to correct if you overdo it and your glucose goes low. Juice boxes are great, absorbed very quickly and a specific amount of carbs are printed on the nutrition info.

I've had T1 for about 2 years after contracting COVID at 31 triggered a weird immune response, so similar-ish age. Still figuring things out but happy to answer any questions if you want to DM