Headache and hypertension were the main clinical symptoms in this slim 77-year-old lady. Because the hypertension presented as paroxysmal and was combined with palpitations, dizziness, and sweating the suspicion of a phaeochromocytoma arouse. The vanillyl mandelic acid in the urine was elevated. As further investigation revealed that this elevation was due to medication with L-dopa because of Parkinson-syndrome. A proper history of the patients' medication or alternative laboratory tests prevent false conclusions.